TankBud

Rose flame glassfish

Gymnochanda verae

Also known as Vera's glassfish, Rose flame glass fish

FreshwaterFish

Rose flame glassfish (Gymnochanda verae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
1.2 in
3 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Ambassidae
Origin
Blackwater streams of Belitung Island, Indonesia

Overview

The rose flame glassfish is a tiny, transparent blackwater fish kept for the display of its red-finned males. It is demanding and suits only experienced keepers.

Did you know

The rose flame glassfish's entire known range is a handful of streams on one Indonesian island. Aquarium-bred fish may end up mattering for the survival of a species with almost nowhere else to live.

Caring for the rose flame glassfish

Rose flame glassfish need a group of at least eight to ten, which settles them and sets the males showing to one another. A dim, planted blackwater tank of 11 gal (40 L) or more suits a group. Leaf litter and wood add tannins, and the flow should stay gentle.

Keep the water soft and acidic, with very low mineral content, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. This fragile fish depends on stable water and mature blackwater conditions.

Feed live and frozen micro-foods, especially newly hatched brine shrimp, since they rarely touch dry food. They are peaceful but shy and easily outcompeted. House them only with very small, calm soft-water fish, or keep a species tank.

Males carry broad red dorsal and anal fins and red tail lobes, with the long rays joined by membrane into flags. Females stay plain and clear. Captive breeding is difficult.

Good to know

Gymnochanda verae is a glassperch in the family Ambassidae, described in 2011. Like others in its genus, it is nearly scaleless and transparent.

In the wild

The rose flame glassfish is found only in the blackwater streams around Gantung on Belitung Island, Indonesia. The water there is soft, acidic and stained dark by peat.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The rose flame glassfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a rose flame glassfish need?

A rose flame glassfish needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a rose flame glassfish need?

A rose flame glassfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a rose flame glassfish eat?

A rose flame glassfish eats live and frozen micro-foods, especially newly hatched brine shrimp. It rarely touches dry food.

How big does a rose flame glassfish get?

An adult rose flame glassfish reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).

Does a rose flame glassfish need a group?

Yes. A rose flame glassfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male rose flame glassfish from a female?

Males carry broad red dorsal and anal fins and red tail lobes, with the long rays joined into flags. Females stay plain and clear.

Related species