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Reviving India’s Crystal Jewel: Highfin Glassy Perchlet Offers Farmers Income, Conservation, and Global Market Potential

Highfin Glassy Perchlet, a native ornamental fish of India, offers economic and ecological benefits. With eco-friendly farming, rural communities can conserve this Near Threatened species, boost income, and promote biodiversity. Sustainable aquaculture can make it a global aquarium favorite and rural pride.

Riya Verma
Pseudambassis lala is not just a tiny ornamental fish and is a symbol of our native aquatic wealth. (Representational image: AI generated)
Pseudambassis lala is not just a tiny ornamental fish and is a symbol of our native aquatic wealth. (Representational image: AI generated)

Pseudambassis lala, also called the Highfin Glassy Perchlet, is an attractive and delicate fish with a shimmering body that glows like crystal in water. Its eye-catching orange-yellow body and long dorsal fin make it a favourite among aquarium lovers. Local communities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and even Maharashtra often refer to it as Chanari or Tanbijla. Though once commonly found in clean river stretches, its numbers are declining due to habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing.

But this tiny native fish can be a sustainable source of income if reared properly, especially for small and marginal farmers, hobbyists, and ornamental fish breeders.

Where Does It Live?

This perchlet prefers slow-flowing freshwater or slightly brackish environments like riverbanks, wetlands, and vegetation-rich ponds. In recent scientific surveys, it has been recorded in the Gomti River near Lucknow, as well as in the Brahmaputra, Godavari, Narmada, Tapi, and Gandak rivers. It co-exists with aquatic vegetation such as Hydrilla, Vallisneria, and Pistia, which provide both food and shelter.

If you’re considering raising this fish, choose a natural or artificial tank that mimics these conditions which are clean, slow-moving water with aquatic plants.

Understanding the Fish

This species has a small, rounded body that’s semi-transparent, which makes it unique in aquariums. The body length ranges from 2 to 3.5 cm, and it has a narrow head and slightly upward-turned mouth. The fins are particularly attractive, with the second dorsal fin being long and orange-red in colour, edged in black. Freshly caught specimens glow with beauty, making them highly valued in the ornamental fish trade.

Though delicate, they are hardy when kept in good water quality with proper temperature and natural surroundings. Because of their small size and peaceful nature, they can be kept in community tanks.

Why Should Farmers and Youth Care?

 Pseudambassis lala can open new income opportunities for village youth and women. These fish can be reared in cement tanks, backyard ponds, or even large glass aquariums with minimal investment. The ornamental fish market in India and abroad is growing, and rare native species are in high demand. Additionally, selling these fish locally or online to hobbyists and pet stores can provide income throughout the year.

Besides economic benefits, reviving this native species supports biodiversity and ensures our rivers retain their native aquatic life, which is critical for ecological balance.

How to Get Started with Rearing 

To begin farming P. lala, a small-scale fish unit can be established near a clean water source. Tanks should have slow water movement, ample aquatic vegetation, and biofilters to maintain water quality. Farmers should avoid using hard cement tanks with sharp edges, which may harm the delicate body of these fish.

Reproduction in P. lala is through external fertilization, and though it can breed naturally in healthy environments, induced breeding may also be explored with expert guidance. Like other ornamental fish, it requires fine feed such as daphnia, rotifers, and specially prepared micro pellets. Feeding should be regular but not excessive, to avoid water contamination.

A healthy broodstock should be maintained, and offspring can be sold once they reach around 2 cm in size.

Ensuring Their Survival: Conservation and Community Role

Being a Near Threatened species, the P. lala needs special care. Overfishing, water pollution, and habitat destruction are serious threats to its survival. Therefore, farming efforts should focus on conservation as well as income generation. Farmers should avoid taking too many fish from the wild and instead focus on captive breeding and rearing. If possible, tie up with local biodiversity boards or research institutions like ICAR-NBFGR to receive training and technical support.

Raising awareness in the community is important where children, school teachers, and fishers should be made aware of the importance of native fish species in our rivers and wetlands.

A Bright Future for a Transparent Fish

Pseudambassis lala is not just a tiny ornamental fish. it is a symbol of our native aquatic wealth. Farmers who adopt ornamental aquaculture can benefit both economically and ecologically. This fish, with its crystal-like charm, can become a flagship species for rural aquariculture and conservation.

If preserved and promoted well, this little fish from Indian rivers could sparkle in aquariums across the world while bringing income and pride to Indian farmers. Now is the time to act and nurture our native fish, protect our rivers, and create livelihoods with sustainability in mind.

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