| Common Name | Glass Tetra
|
| Species/genus | Chanda ranga
|
| Keeping | A beginners fish and very easy to keep
but not easy breed and raise young. A very interesting fish, named for it's transparent body.
It is very difficult to distinguish the males and females. They are hardy type and can
adopt to varying water conditions. They need live food in their diet to keep them
healthy. They can also take all flakes and other foods. They are very peaceful towards
other tank mates. They have to be kept in groups of 6 or more. They do not school like
other tetras but they prefer their own company. These fish are injected with
different colour dyes so that they can be sold in different colours. The colours
fade off as they leach out after six months or so. It is better to buy plain glass tetras.
They need some salt in their water for good health.
|
| Breeding | They are fairly easy to breed. But very
difficult to raise the young. You need a 10G long tank. Condition the male and female
by introducing them into the breeding tank with a glass partition. They need to be conditioned
for a month or so. Water should have some salt added and the tank should be kept in a
place receiving some morning sun. Breeding tank should have plants. Feed them well with
live foods for three or four days. Then one morning before dawn remove the partition,
spawning takes place with in a day. Female scatters the eggs among the plants. Spawning
may last a few hours, after which remove the male and female from the breeding tank.
The fry hatch after a couple of days and tiny fry need Infusoria or liquid fry
food. After two weeks they can take freshly hatched brine shrimps. Filtration is
not required during the first two weeks, but water must be changed partly using
the small air tube as hose with a nylon mesh net at the end.
|
| Origin | Temp | Water | Temper
| Size | Tank | Food | Breeding
|
| India | 68-81 °F
| Neutral to soft | Peaceful, Community | 1-1.5 inch
| 20 Gallon | All, Worms | Egg layer, Easy
|
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