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Chanda siamensis

Fowler, 1937Formerly Parambassis siamensis

Last revised 2026Edit this page

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Parambassis siamensis
Parambassis siamensisJJPhoto

Quick factsEdit

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

Difficulty4 of 8 measures

Moderate

How the rating is worked out

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

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It inhabits lowland rivers and flooded fields.

Aquarium size

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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

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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

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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.

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

Behaviour and compatibility

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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

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

Reproduction

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

Notes

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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

Distribution

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