Dussumier's Glassy Perchlet

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to Japan. Inhabits shallow marine bays, tidal creeks, and mangrove channels.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Ambassidae. Oval, highly compressed body that is partially transparent, featuring a split dorsal fin. Reaches 10 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, shoaling fish. They coordinate in tight groups for safety, utilizing submerged wood structures for shelter.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Glassy transparent coloration with a bright silver mid-lateral band. No obvious external sexual differences.

Aquarium Setup: Best kept with mangrove branch simulations. Requires open swimming space with moderate water current to simulate tides.

Diet and Feeding: Zooplanktivore. Feed small frozen foods such as cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and high-quality crushed marine flakes.

Water Quality: Prefers high salinity brackish (SG 1.008-1.015) or marine water. Sensitive to fluctuations in ammonia and nitrite.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal for community brackish aquariums. Keep with peaceful gobies, small scats, or monos. Avoid large fish.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawning occurs in saline water. The pelagic larvae are difficult to rear in home aquariums due to feed requirements.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine parasites like velvet disease if stress occurs during water transitions.