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Chanda siamensis

Fowler, 1937

Formerly Parambassis siamensis

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Parambassis siamensis
Parambassis siamensisJJPhoto

Quick facts

Length
60mm SL2.4in SL
Tank base
45 × 30cm18 × 12in
Temp
22–27°C72–81°F
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
8–15dGH

Difficulty4 of 8 measures

Moderate

More bars, more demanding. Hardiness is not averaged with the rest.

Space
modest tank
Water
mild adjustment
Temp
unfussy
Diet
unknown
Temperament
unknown
Social
shoal
Compatibility
unknown

Hardiness on its own can raise the rating, whatever the measures above say.

Hardiness
unknown

Chanda siamensis is a small glass fish from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. An occasional import, it is sometimes sold as C. ranga, the Indian glass fish, but lacks patterning behind the eye and has a more elongate body. C. siamensis inhabits lowland rivers and flooded fields and is exclusively a freshwater fish, so it should never be kept under brackish conditions.

Distribution

Habitat

It inhabits lowland rivers and flooded fields.

Aquarium size

Standard length
60mm SL2.4in SL
Aquarium base
45 × 30cm18 × 12in
Volume
~41litres~11US gal

45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~41 litres~11 US gal.

Maintenance

A dark substrate will help to make this shy species less nervous, and it will also display it's best colours. Provide cover by planting some areas of the tank densely, along with some floating vegetation. Rocks and driftwood can also be used. It is a freshwater species and does not require the addition of salt to it's tank.

Water conditions

Temperature
22–27°C72–81°F
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
8–15dGH

Temperature: 22 – 27 °C72 – 81 °F

pH: 6.5-7.5

Hardness: 8-15°H

These recommendations come from this profile’s own figures. They contain affiliate links, so we may earn a commission.

Diet

Relatively unfussy, and will accept most live, frozen and dried foods.

Behaviour and compatibility

C. siamensis is peaceful and shy, and should not be combined with vigorous or aggressive species. Good tankmates include barbs, livebearers, smaller rainbowfish and loaches. It is a shoaling species and will not do well if kept singly or in pairs. Aim for a group of at least 6. Males do become somewhat territorial when spawning but physical damage is rare.

Sexual dimorphism

Unknown. Adult females will most likely be fuller in the belly when inbreeding condition.

Reproduction

Not thought to have been bred in captivity, although the process is probably similar to that of C. ranga.

Notes

This occasional import is sometimes offered for sale as C. ranga, the Indian glass fish. Unlike that species however, C. siamensis is an exclusively freshwater fish and should never be kept under brackish conditions. It can be distinguished from ranga by the lack of patterning behind the eye and it's generally more elongate body.

How the name has changed

  1. Moved from Parambassis siamensis to Chanda siamensis.

    2025Morphological comparison within the glass perchlets genus Ambassis (Osteichthyes: Ovalentalia: Ambassidae), with reference to the comparison of some characters shared with other related genera

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Also missing: a recorded distribution, a common name, etymology.

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