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Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) — Ambassidae

Slender glassy

Ambassis natalensis
Family: Ambassidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Ambassidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean, along the east coast of Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The slender glassy is a small, semi-transparent perchlet of the family Ambassidae from the western Indian Ocean, along the east coast of Africa. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a slender, glassy silvery body. It is euryhaline and occurs in estuaries and coastal waters, where it tolerates fresh water within a certain temperature range. In summer it forages mainly in the early evening and late morning, in winter both by day and night, on crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects and small fishes. The species thrives well in captivity and is a suitable subject for biological research.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender glassy?

The Slender glassy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Semi-transparent glassfish of East African estuaries.

Where does the Slender glassy live?

The Slender glassy lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Indian Ocean, along the east coast of Africa.

How big does the Slender glassy get?

The Slender glassy grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Slender glassy dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender glassy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender glassy edible?

The Slender glassy is not usually eaten.

More photos

Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) — Ambassidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ricky Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) — Ambassidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) — Ambassidae — 4
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Slender glassy (Ambassis natalensis) — Ambassidae — 5
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender glassy verified
Scientific name
Ambassis natalensis
Family
Ambassidae
Other names
Slender glassy verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean, along the east coast of Africa.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, insects and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Semi-transparent glassfish of East African estuaries. sourced

For anglers

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

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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