Sailfin Glassfish, Ambassis agrammus Günther 1867

Other Names: Chanda Perch, Sail-fin Glassfish, Sail-fin Perchlet

Summary:

A pale silvery yellow to semi-transparent glassfish with a darker olive hue above, often with dark-edged scales forming a network pattern, and often broad dusky margins on the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins.

Cite this page as:

Thompson, V.J. & Bray, D.J, 2017, Ambassis agrammus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 10 Dec 2023, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1580

Sailfin Glassfish, Ambassis agrammus Günther 1867

More Info

Distribution	Two isolated populations occur: in coastal streams of the Northern Territory from the Victoria River to the McArthur River, and the second population from Cape York, Queensland, to about Lake Hiawatha, northern New South Wales; also in New Guinea. Historically, the species occurred in the Murray Darling Basin, but is now thought to be regionally extinct in Victoria and South Australia. Inhabits freshwater streams, lakes, dams, and billabongs, often forming large aggregations around thick aquatic vegetation. This species is locally abundant in each of the two known geographically isolated populations.
Features	Dorsal fin VII + I, 7-10; Anal fin III, 7-10; Pectoral fin 11-14; Gill rakers lower limb of 1st arch 16-20 . Body laterally compressed, elongate-oval shaped; greatest body depth 39.5-51.1% of SL; lateral line incomplete or in two sections, first dorsally to below spinous portion of dorsal with 0-11 tubed scales, second midlaterally on caudal peduncle with 0-10 pored scales; head length 36.0 to 41.7 % SL; snout length 7.0 to 9.3 %SL; eye diameter 11.6 to 14.0 %HL. Scales are cycloid and large, present on head; horizontal scale rows 12-14; vertical scale rows 28-34; cheek with 2 transverse scale rows. Dorsal fin deeply notched; first dorsal spine small, projecting forward; anal fin opposite soft rays of dorsal; height of first dorsal fin 18.4 to 27.6 % SL; second dorsal spine longer than third dorsal spine; third anal spine longer than second anal spine; anal and dorsal fins with scaly basal sheath. Pectoral fins of moderate size, originating forward of pelvic fins. Pelvic fins large. Caudal fin forked with rounded tips.
Size	To 7.5 cm SL
Colour	Semi-transparent with dark scale edges forming a network pattern.
Feeding	Carnivore - feeds on small insects and crustaceans.
Biology	The entire life cycle is completed in freshwater and the species matures in 12 months at 2.5-3 cm. Females spawn amongst aquatic vegetation from September to December, usually producing over 1000 eggs. The eggs are spherical, adhesive and small. Larvae school at the surface.
Similar Species	Most similar to Ambassis agassizii but with a taller first dorsal fin and more scales in a longitudinal series.
Etymology	The specific name agrammus is from the Greek a, meaning without and gramme for line, in reference to the absence of stripes on the caudal fin. The common name Glassfish relates to the transparent appearance of this species.
Species Citation	Ambassis agrammus Günther 1867, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3)20(8): 57. Type locality: Cape York, QLD.
Author	Thompson, V.J. & Bray, D.J, 2017
Resources	Australian Faunal Directory

Sailfin Glassfish, Ambassis agrammus Günther 1867

References

Allen, G.R. 1982. Inland Fishes of Western Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 86 pp. 6 figs 20 pls.

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp., 63 pls.

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp.

Allen, G.R., Storey, A.W. & Yarrao, M. 2008. Freshwater Fishes of the Fly River Papua New Guinea. Tabubil, Papua New Guinea : Ok Tedi Mining 216 pp.

Allen, G.R. & Burgess, W.E. 1990. A review of the glass-fishes (Ambassidae) of Australia and New Guinea. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 34: 139-206

Günther, A. 1867. Additions to the knowledge of Australian reptiles and fishes. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 3 20(8): 45-68

Hitchcock, G., Finn, M.A., Burrows, D.W., & Johnson, J.W. 2012. Fishes from fresh and brackish waters of islands in Torres Strait, far north Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 56(1): 14-24

Larson, H.K. & Martin, K.C. 1990. Freshwater Fishes of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences Handbook Series Number 1. Darwin : Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 102 pp. 73 figs.

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs.

Pusey, B.J., Kennard, M.J. & Arthington, A.H. 2004. Freshwater Fishes of North-eastern Australia. Collingwood, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing 684 pp.

Unmack, P.J. 2001. Biogeography of Australian freshwater fishes. Journal of Biogeography 28: 1053-1089

Whitley, G.P. 1956. Ichthyological notes. The Australian Zoologist 12(3): 251-261

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 (as Blandowskiella agrammus)