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Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) — Ambassidae

Chanda perch

Ambassis agrammus
Family: Ambassidae
LC · Least Concern

The Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ambassidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern Australia and New Guinea; streams, ponds and swamps.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The sailfin glassfish is a small glassfish of the family Ambassidae from Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 7.5 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, translucent body through which the internal organs and the spine are visible. It inhabits streams, ponds and swamps and occurs in rivers and creeks through forested areas. As a small predator it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and small invertebrates. Glassfishes live in schools among water plants. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chanda perch?

The Chanda perch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Translucent body through which the organs and spine are visible; small schooling fish among aquatic plants.

Where does the Chanda perch live?

The Chanda perch lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northern Australia and New Guinea; streams, ponds and swamps.

How big does the Chanda perch get?

The Chanda perch grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Chanda perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Chanda perch is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Chanda perch edible?

The Chanda perch is not usually eaten.

More photos

Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) — Ambassidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Hiroya Kidoguchi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) — Ambassidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Muhammad Faris Nazal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) — Ambassidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) coenobita, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Chanda perch (Ambassis agrammus) — Ambassidae — 5
Pitassy, Diane E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Chanda perch verified
Scientific name
Ambassis agrammus
Family
Ambassidae
Other names
Pale river perchlet; Sailfin glass perchlet; Sailfin glassfish; Sail-fin perchlet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Average length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern Australia and New Guinea; streams, ponds and swamps. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Translucent body through which the organs and spine are visible; small schooling fish among aquatic plants. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ambassis

More from the family Ambassidae

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