Chanda siamensis
Formerly Parambassis siamensis
Last revised 2026Edit this page
On this page11 sections
Quick factsEdit
Difficulty4 of 8 measures
- Space
- medium tank
- Water
- needs a steady pH
- Temp
- flexible
- Diet
- unknown
- Temperament
- unknown
- Social
- needs to be in a group
- Compatibility
- unknown
Other demands
Each of these can raise the rating on its own, 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
EditHabitat
Write a noteEditIt inhabits lowland rivers and flooded fields.
Aquarium size
Write a noteEdit45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~41 litres~11 US gal.
Maintenance
Write a noteEditA 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
EditTemperature: 22 – 27 °C72 – 81 °F
pH: 6.5-7.5
Hardness: 8-15°H
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Diet
Write a noteEditRelatively unfussy, and will accept most live, frozen and dried foods.
Behaviour and compatibility
Write a noteEditC. 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
Write a noteEditUnknown. Adult females will most likely be fuller in the belly when inbreeding condition.
Reproduction
Write a noteEditNot thought to have been bred in captivity, although the process is probably similar to that of C. ranga.
Notes
EditThis 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.
Species images · 2
These photographs are used with each photographer's permission.
Send a photographHow the name has changed
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
Distribution
Profile completeness19 of 24
79% complete
Also missing: a common name, etymology.
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