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Estuarine glassfish (Ambassis macracanthus) — Ambassidae

Estuarine glassfish

Ambassis macracanthus
Family: Ambassidae

The Estuarine glassfish (Ambassis macracanthus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Ambassidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste

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Description

The Estuarine glassfish is a glassfish (Ambassidae) from shallow coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, almost transparent body through which the backbone and organs show, with large eyes. As a schooling fish it swims in large groups among roots and water plants and snaps at small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Estuarine glassfish?

The Estuarine glassfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Estuarine glassfish live?

The Estuarine glassfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste

How big does the Estuarine glassfish get?

The Estuarine glassfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Estuarine glassfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Estuarine glassfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Estuarine glassfish sourced
Scientific name
Ambassis macracanthus
Family
Ambassidae
Other names
Estuarine glass perchlet; Estuarine perchlet; Glassfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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