Micro Glassfish

About

A rarely seen micro-cyprinid from Myanmar, Danionella translucida is among the smallest freshwater fish on the planet, topping out at barely half an inch as an adult. Its near-total lack of body pigmentation gives it an almost ghostly appearance, and the common trade nickname 'micro glassfish' sums up the look pretty well. What makes this species scientifically fascinating is that its tiny adult size is not simply a matter of being a small fish. It represents a form of paedomorphosis, meaning adults retain larval-like anatomical features of their larger relatives, including a dramatically simplified skeleton. In the aquarium, the focus for most keepers should be on keeping and breeding a proper school, ideally a dozen or more individuals. That size group gives you the best chance of natural behavior and successful spawning. Because of its diminutive proportions, tankmates need to be chosen with care. Other miniaturised cyprinids like Boraras, Microdevario, or Celestichthys species make sensible companions. Breeding has been achieved with dedicated setups using mature Java moss on the substrate, and fry can be raised through the usual progression of infusoria, green water, and eventually baby brine shrimp. Spinal deformities have appeared in second-generation fry, so good husbandry and genetic diversity in the broodstock are worth keeping in mind.