A REVIEW OF GLASSFISHES (FAMILY AMBASSIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

Glassfihes belonging to Family Ambassidae are known to inhabit freshwater, estuarine and marine habitat. From Pakistan, 7 species belong to 4 genera are reported which includes 2 marine and 5 freshwater species. Ambassis gymnocephalis seems to be common in shallow coastal waters, intertidal areas and rockbools on sandy and muddy areas. Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga are of frequent occurrence in freshwater habitats of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. All members of family Ambassidae are considered to be important in aquarium trade because of their transparent body and high survival rate. A number of other species of this family is imported from southeast Asian countries, however, none of them is known to establish in natural water bodies that have accidentally or intentionally released.

Full text

INT. J. BIOL. BIOTECH., 19 (4): 533-544, 2022.
A REVIEW OF GLASSFISHES (FAMILY AMBASSIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN
Muhammad Moazzam1* and Hamid Badar Osmany2
12WWF-Pakistan, D-305, Block 6, PECHS, Karachi 75400, Pakistan
2Marine Fisheries Department, Government of Pakistan, Fish Harbour, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
Corresponding author’s email: mmoazzamkhan@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Glassfihes belonging to Family Ambassidae are known to inhabit freshwater, estuarine and marine habitat. From
Pakistan, 7 species belong to 4 genera are reported which includes 2 marine and 5 freshwater species. Ambassis
gymnocephalis seems to be common in shallow coastal waters, intertidal areas and rockbools on sandy and muddy
areas. Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga are of frequent occurrence in freshwater habitats of Sindh, Balochistan and
Punjab. All members of family Ambassidae are considered to be important in aquarium trade because of their
transparent body and high survival rate. A number of other species of this family is imported from southeast Asian
countries, however, none of them is known to establish in natural water bodies that have accidentally or intentionally
released.
Key-words: Ambassiade, Ambassis, Chanda, Parambassis, glassfishes, aquarium trade.
INTRODUCTION
Glassfishes or glassy perchlets belong to family Ambassidae (formerly known as Channidae) are found in both
marine and inland waters of Asia and Oceania (Menon, 1999; Nelson, 1994; Roberts, 1994). Most species are small
having semi-transparent body and are inhabitant of freshwater bodies as well as estuarine and coastal waters. Glassy
perchlets are not of much economic significance except some species are kept in aquaria as ornamental fishes and
few others are consumed by poor classes in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Members of family
Ambassidae are locally known in Pakistan by a variety of names. It is generally known as ‘shisha machi’, however it
is also called ‘photani’,’motar’ ‘phud’, ‘peeda’ ‘put-to-lah’ or ‘mittho’ in Sindhi and ‘kasha’ in Balochi and
‘makhni’ ‘phed-du-ah’, ‘kangee’, or ‘ched-du-ah’ in Punjabi and ‘chnada’ (Bangali) in Karachi market.
Although members of this family are reported both from freshwater and marine environment in Pakistan,
however, no work exclusively cover this family. In the present paper, a review of the species found in Pakistan and
distributional record of each known species is given. Members of family Ambassidae is widely distributed in
coastal, brackish as well freshwater habitat in Pakistan and their presence has been mentioned in a large of papers
published on various aspects of fish biology, distribution and other aspects related to fisheries. In the present paper
an attempt was made to refer to the publications that mention species of family Ambassidae. If any published paper
is not mentioned in this study, it may not be intentional but missed because of availability or access to the said
paper.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In addition to the literature review samples of family Ambassidae were collected from commercial landings as
well as from the coastal and inland areas of Pakistan. The specimens were photographed and later on preserved in 5
% neutralized formalin and kept in the Museum of Marine Fisheries Department for future reference.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total of seven species belonging to four genera were reported from Pakistan. Of these two species i.e.
Ambassis ambassis and Ambassis gymnocephalus were reported from marine and estuarine areas whereas four
species i.e. Chnada nama, Parambassis thomassi, Parambassis ranga, Parambassis lala and Pseudambassis
baculis were reported from freshwater habitat. Of these, Chanda nama and Parambassis ranga seems to be most
dominating species which is landed in commercial quantities and mostly utilized locally by the immigrant
Bangladeshi and Burmese population settled in Karachi and its vicinity. All members of family Ambassidae are
considered to be important in aquarium trade because of their transparent body and high survival rate. In

534 MUHAMMAD MOAZZAM AND H.B. OSMANY
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 19 (4): 533-544, 2022.
addition, a number of other species of this family is imported mainly from southeast Asian countries, however,
none of them is known to establish in natural water bodies that have accidentally or intentionally released.
Ambassis ambassis (Lacepède, 1802)
(Fig. 1)
Fig. 1. Ambassis ambassis collected from Buleji on 31 December, 2009 (9 cm TL)
This species is commonly known as Commerson’s glassy perchlet and is reported from coastal areas of Sindh
and Balochistan inhabiting coastal creeks and sheltered waters. From Balochistan, this species was reported by
Ahmed (1996) and Zugmayer (1913) whereas Sindh it was reported by Sorley (1932). Additionally this species was
reported from Baba Island, Bhit Island, and Port Qasim by Ahmed and Wazarat (1993) and from Sandspit, Karachi,
Bambhore, Keti Bunder, and Korangi Creek (Ahmed et al., 1999). In all of these studies it was reported as
Ambassis commersonii Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828 which is considered as a synonym of this species (Frickle et
al., 2022).
This species was originally described as Centropomis ambassis from Réunion Islands by Lacepade (1802),
however, no holotype is known. Syntypes are housed in Museum National d’Historie Naturelle, Paris, France
(Frickle et al., 2022). Ambassis commersonii described from Réunion, Pondicherry (India), Mahé (Seychelles) and
Java (Indonesia) by Cuvier and Valenciennes (1828) is considered to be a synonym of this species. No holotype of
this taxa is known, however, syntypes are housed in the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de la Ville de Genève (MHNG)
and Museum National d’Historie Naturelle, Paris, France (Frickle et al., 2022).
Ambassis ambassis is known to be widely distributed in Western Indian Ocean from East Africa, South Africa,
Persian Gulf, Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius (western Mascarenes) east to western India (Frickle et al., 2022).
During the present study, a number of samples collected from Pakistan (both Sindh and Balochistan) were
examined. The photograph of specimen given in this paper was collected from sandy shore at Buleji on 31
December, 2009 using cast net.
Ambassis gymnocephalus (Lacepede, 1802)
(Fig. 2)
Fig. 2. Ambassis gymnocephalus collected from Damb, Balochistan on 11 November, 2014 (13.4 cm TL)

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It is commonly known as bald glassy perchlet. It is found in marine, brackish and freshwater along Sindh and
Balochistan coast. This species reported from Pakistan by Hoda (1985, 1988), Hussain (2003) and Jalil and
Khaliluddin (1972, 1981) whereas it is also reported from Sindh coast by Anonymous (1999) and Jayaram (1981,
1999). It was originally described as Lutjanus gymnocephalus from Indo-Pacific Ocean (le grand Océan équinoxal
or dans les parties de ce grand Océan voisines des tropiques") by Lacepede (1802), however, no type is known
(Frickle, et al., 2022). This species is known to be widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific area including East
Africa and South Africa east to Philippines and New Guinea, north to Taiwan, south to Queensland, Australia
(Frickle et al., 2022). Detailed description of the species is given in Allen and Burgess (1990). This is species is
distinguished from its congeners on the basis that its lateral line is interrupted and its preorbital bone has exposed
and posteriorly directed rostral spine below anterior nostril.
This is most common glassfish found along the coast of Pakistan including in the intertidal water along open
sea, bays, lagoons and estuaries. It is also found in lower reaches of the River Indus in almost freshwater. The
photograph of specimen given in this paper was collected from Damb, Balochistan on 11 November, 2014 using
bottom set gillnet.
Ambassis natalensis Gilchrist and Thompson, 1908
This species is commonly known as slender glassy and was originally described from Inner harbour, Durban,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, southwestern Indian Ocean by Gilchrist and Thompson (1908). Its holotype is not
known, however, its syntypes are housed in Australian Museum at Sydney (AMS IA.6944-45), Natural History
Museum, London (BMNH 1927.12.6.26-29) and South African Museum at Cape Town (SAM 9887 + 11665). It
was reported from Pakistan by Shaikh and Panhwar (2021). This species is reported Indo-West Pacific area
including South Africa, East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes, Red Sea east to Philippines, north to
China and Taiwan, south to northern Australia (Frickle et al., 2022). According to Shaikh and Panhwar (2021) this
species, the pre-opercular spine, predorsal scales, and teeth on the vomer and palatines are the key identification
characters based on Martin and Heemstra (1988).
Examination of the photograph published in Shaikh and Panhwar (2021) shows that hind margin of preopercle is
entire whereas in general morphology it seems to be more close of Ambassis ambassis. The colour given in the
photograph seems to be adjusted as all fins appears to be pinkish. No specimen of this species was examined during
the present study. Chanda nama Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822
(Fig. 3)
Fig. 3. Chanda nama collected from Karachi Fish Harbour on 31 May, 2013 (8.0 cm TL)
It is commonly known as elongate glassy perchlet. It is commonly found fresh and brackish waters almost
throughout Pakistan except for cold waters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Northern Areas. This
species was reported from Pakistan by Ahmad (1963y, 1963z, 1979), Ahmad and Khamis (1969), Ahmad et al
(1980), Ahmed (1996), Butt and Nawaz (1978), Froese and Pauly (2022), Iqbal (1993), Kehar et al (1987), Mirza

536 MUHAMMAD MOAZZAM AND H.B. OSMANY
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 19 (4): 533-544, 2022.
(1990), Mirza and Alam (1994), Mirza and Bhatti (1993, 1999), Qureshi (1965), Sheri and Saied (1975) and Zaman
(1980), however, no specific location was identified. It was also reported from zoogeographic area Indus
Balochistan by Rafique (2000), Indus plain and adjoining hills by Mirza (1974, 1975a) and Roberts (1994) and
northern mountane and submountane regions by Mirza (1976).
It was reported from Sindh without identifying any specific location by Ahmad (1949-50), Ahmad et al (1976),
Day (1875, 1889), Jayaram (1981), Lone (1983), Mirza (1970, 1972, 2003), Mirza and Omar (1984), Mirza and
Sharif (1996), Murray (1880), Rafique (2000) and Sorley (1933). It was also reported from Dadu (Ahmad, 1963c),
G. M. Barrage, Sunhari Canal, Ghulamullah, Pir Pattho, Wir, Mirpur Sakro, Ghorabari, Gharo and Dhabeji
(Khatoon and Baqai, 1972, Haleji Lake (Baqai et al, 1974; Kehar et al, 1995, Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Habibkot,
Rohri Sukkur District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Hyderabad (Ahmad, 1963h; Ali and Jafri, 1984), Jhangi Sir and Kharo
Chan (Ahmed et al, 1999), Khairpur (Ahmad, 1963k; Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Khairpur Nathan Shah, Kahirpur
District (Ahmad and Khan, 1974; Ahmad et al, 1976), Kharo Chan (Abro et al., 2020), Kinjhar Lake (Ahmad and
Khan, 1974; Ahmad et al, 1976; Kehar et al, 1995, Khatoon and Baqai, 1972; Korai et al., 2008; Siddiqui et al,
1973; Sufi, 1957), Larkana (Ahmad, 1963m), Leth Nullah, Mirpur Sakro (Ahmad et al, 1984, 1985; Niazi and
Moazzam, 1999), Lower Indus Basin (Husain, 1973), Lower Indus Plain (Mirza and Mirza, 2014), Manchar Lake
(Baig and Khan, 1976; Khatoon and Baqai, 1972; Prashad and Mukerji, 1930; Sufi, 1962), Manjhand (Abro et al.,
2020), Nara Game Reserve (Khan, 2004), Rapp Lake, Gouspur, Jacobabad District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Ring Dam,
Kotri Barrage (Kehar et al, 1995), Sanghar (Ahmed, 1963s), Rohri, Sukkur District (Ahmad and Khan, 1974),
South-West hills (Mirza, 1975a), Sukkur (Ahmad, 1963v; Anonymous, 1993) and Thatta (Ahmad, 1963x; Khatoon
and Baqai, 1972).
From province of Punjab, this species was reported without specifying any location by Ahmad et al (1976),
Anonymous (1999), Day (1875, 1889), Jayaram (1981), Lone (1983), Mirza (1970, 1972, 2003), Mirza and Alam
(2002), Mirza and Omar (1984), Mirza and Sharif (1996), Rafique (2000). It is also reported from Attock (Ahmad,
1963b), Bajwat Area, District Sailkot (Qazi et al, 2000), Chenab River, Manha Canal (Roberts, 1994), Dera Ghazi
Khan (Ahmad, 1963d), Failsalabad (Ahmad, 1963n), Gujranwala (Ahmad, 1963f; Lincoln, 1936), Gujrat (Ahmad,
1963g; Naik, 1977), Haro River (Rafique, 2001; Razaq and Mirza, 1992), Head Khanki, River Chanab (Latif et al.,
2016a), Head Marala, Chenab River (Latif et al., 2016b), Head Qadirabad, River Chenab (Latif, et al., 2016c, Altaf
et al., 2011), Indus River at Taunsa Barrage (Iqbal and Saleemi, 2017), Jhang (Ahmad, 1963i), Jehlum (Ahmad,
1963j), Jehlum Bridge (Mirza, et al., 2006), Jelum near Khewra, Dharyala Japalppond, Salt Range (Anonymous,
2001), Jinnah Barrage (Rafique et al, 2003), Kalabagh (Mirza and Jan, 1993), Lahore (Ahmad, 1943, 1963l; Ahmad
et al, 1976; Anonymous, 1916, 1999; Khamis, 1963; Mirza, 1970, 1975a, 1982), Link Canal No. 1, Dera Ghazi
Khan (Ahmad et al, 1976), Multan (Ahmad, 1963o), Muzaffargarh Canal, Magasson Drain, Muzaffargarh District
(Ahmad et al, 1976), Nullah Aik and Palku (Qadir, 2010), Potohar Plateau and Salt Range (Mirza, 1975a), Rahimyar
Khan (Ahmad, 1963q), Rawalpindi (Ahmad, 1963r), Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Wah area (Akhtar et al, 1990),
River Chenab (Altaf et al., 2015), River Chenab between Khanki and Qadirabad (Javed et al, 1997), River Chenab
in District Jhang (Afzal et al, 1995), River Indus near Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan District (Qureshi and Ali, 1975),
River Jehlum (Mirza and Sulehria, 2011), River Ravi (Pervaiz et al., 2018), Sang Jani, tributary of Haro River
(Qureshi et al, 1988), Sargodha (Ahmad, 1963t), Sheikhupura (Ahmad, 1963u), Sailkot (Ahmad, 1963v), Shrakpur,
Sheikhupura District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Soan River (Rafique, 2001) and Sutlej River in Lahore District (Bashir
and Mirza, 1975).
Mirza (2003) and Mirza and Sharif (1996) reported this species from, Balochistan and by Mirza (1974, 1975a)
from south-southeastern Balochistan and adjoining areas. It is also reported from Nulli-ni near Kota Meer
Muhammad by Day (1880), Mirza (1972) and Mirza and Omar, 1984). From the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
it was reported by Ahmad et al (1976), Lone (1983), Mirza (2003), Mirza and Omar (1984) and Mirza and Sharif
(1996) without identifying any specific location. It was however, reported from Bannu (Ahmad, 1963a), Bunair
Valley (Butt et al, 2005), Dera Ismail Khan (Ahmad, 1963e; Ahmad et al, 1976; Butt, 1986; Mirza and Ahmad,
1974), Indus River in Dera Ismail Khan (Butt and Nawaz, 1978), Hazara (Rafique, 2000), Kohat hills (Mirza,
1975a), Kohat Toi Stream (Shahjehan and Khan, 1997), Nowshera, Peshawar District (Butt, 1986; Butt and Mirza,
1981), Peshawar (Ahmad, 1963p), Rafique, 2000), River Indus near Kalinger, Mian Dehri, Haripur (Mirza et al,
1995) and Spur No. 1, Chasma Road, Dera Ismail Khan District (Ahmad et al, 1976; Butt and Nawaz, 1978). This
species was also reported from Azad Kashmir (Mirza, 2003; Rafique, 2000) and Mangla Lake (Mirza et al (1989).
This species was originally described from ponds throughout Bengal by Hamillton-Buchanan (1822), however,
no type is known (Frickle et al., 2022). During the present study, a number of samples collected from Pakistan (both
Sindh and Balochistan) were examined. The photograph of specimen given in this paper was collected from Karachi
Fish Harbour on 31 May, 2013 possibly using gillnet.

GLASSFISHES (FAMILY AMBASSIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN 537
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Parambassis baculis (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822)
(Fig. 4)
Fig. 4. Parambassis baculis collected from River Hub at Karachi-Quetta Bridge on 17 March, 2017. (4.3 cm TL)
This species is known as Himalayan glassy perchlet and known to inhabit fresh and brackish waters. It is
widely distributed in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. It is reported by Ahmad (1963y, 1963z, 1979), Ahmad et al
(1980), Ahmed (1996), Froese and Pauly (2022), Iqbal (1993), Jayaram (1999), Mirza (1990), Mirza and Alam
(1994), Mirza and Bhatti (1993, 1999), Qureshi (1965) and Sheri and Saied (1975) without specifying any specific
location. . It was also reported from zoogeograpohic area Indus plain and adjoining hills by Mirza, (1974, 1975a)
and Roberts (1994).
From province of Sindh, this species was reported by Ahmad et al (1976), Jayaram (1981), Lone (1983), Mirza
(1970, 2003), Mirza and Sharif (1996), Misra (1962), Rafique (2000) and Sorley (1933) but no specific area was
identified. It was also reported from Daro, Thatta District (Ahmad and Khan, 1974; Ahmad et al, 1976), Jhangi Sir
and Kharo Chan (Ahmed et al, 1999), Kalri Lake, Sunhari Canal, Ghulamullah, Pir Pattho, Wir, Mirpur Sakro,
Ghorabari, Gharo, Thatta (Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Leth Nullah, Mirpur Sakro (Ahmad et al, 1984, 1985; Niazi
and Moazzam, 1999), Lower Indus Basin (Husain, 1973), Manchar Lake (Prashad and Mukerji, 1930) and Sukkur
(Anonymous, 1993; Roberts, 1994).
From Punjab, it was reported by Ahmad et al (1976), Day (1875, 1889), Jayaram (1981), Khan (1943), Lone
(1983), Mirza (1970, 2003), Mirza and Alam (2002), Mirza and Sharif (1996), Misra (1962), Rafique (2000) and
Zaman (1980) without identifying any specific location. It is, however, reported from Haro River (Rafique, 2001),
Indus River at Taunsa Barrage (Iqbal and Saleemi, 2017), Jinnah Barrage (Rafique et al, 2003), Kalabagh (Mirza
and Jan, 1993), Lahore (Ahmad, 1943; Ahmad et al, 1976; Mirza, 1970, 1975b, 1982; Misra, 1962), Muzaffargarh
(Lincoln, 1930), Rangla Wetland Complex, Muzaffargarh (Sheikh et al, 1997), River Chenab in District Jhang
(Afzal et al, 1995), River Chenab in Multan District (Khan et al, 1991; Mahmood and Salam, 1997), River Indus,
Dera Ghazi Khan District (Qureshi and Ali, 1975), River Jehlum at Bhera (Mirza and Ahmad, 1987), River Ravi
(Pervaiz et al., 2018), Soan River (Rafique, 2001) and Sutlej River in Lahore District (Bashir and Mirza, 1975).
This species was reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Mirza (2003) and from Peshawer by Rafique (2000). It
was also reported from Azad Kashmir (Mirza, 2003), Mangla Lake (Mirza et al (1989) and River Punch at Kotli,
Azad Kashmir (Mirza and Waheed-ud-din, 1976; Waheed-ud-din, 1979).
This species was originally described as Ambassis baculis from northeastern Bengal by Hamillton-Buchanan
(1822), however, no type is known (Frickle et al., 2022). Himalayan and Indo-Gangetic plains. Bangladesh,
Cambodia, India, Mynamar, India, Nepal, Thailand and Pakistan. During the present study, a number of samples
collected from Pakistan (both Sindh and Balochistan) were examined. The photograph of specimen given in this
paper was collected from River Hub at Karachi-Quetta Bridge on 17 March, 2017 using castnet.
Parambassis lala (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822)
This species is known as highfin glassy perchlet and reported by Roberts (1994) from Thatta collected through
Peabody Museum Expedition in 1955. The collected specimens were housed in Museum of Comparative Zoology,
Cambridge and was 25.3 mm long. There is no other/subsequent record of this species from Pakistan. This species is
known from lowlands of Ganges-Brahmaputra and Mahanadi basin in India and Nepal, Irrawaddy basin in Myanmar
and Indus basin in Pakistan (Froese and Pauly, 2022, Roberts, 1994; Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Originally it was

538 MUHAMMAD MOAZZAM AND H.B. OSMANY
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described as Chanda lala from freshwaters of Gangetic province by Hamilton Buchanan, however, no holotype is
known. Syntypes are housed Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (Frickle et al., 2022). Its presence
in Pakistan is considered to be doubtful. During present study no specimen of this species was examined.
Parambassis ranga (Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822).
(Fig. 5)
Fig. 5. Parambassis ranga collected from Chilya Hatchery, Thatta on 24 September 2022. (5.2 cm TL)
This species is also known to inhabit fresh and brackish waters. It is widely distributed in Pakistan and Azad
Kashmir. It is reported by Ahmad (1963y, 1979), Ahmad et al (1980), Ahmed (1996), Butt and Nawaz (1978),
Froese and Pauly (2022), Iqbal (1993), Jayaram (1999), Kehar et al (1987), Mirza (1990), Mirza and Alam (1994),
Mirza and Bhatti (1993, 1999), Qureshi (1965)and Sheri and Saied (1975) without specifying any specific location.
This species was reported from Sindh by Ahmad et al (1976), Day (1875, 1889), Jayaram (1981), Lone (1983),
Mirza (1970, 2003), Mirza and Sharif (1996), Murray (1880), Qureshi and Ali (1975), Rafique (2000) and Sorley
(1932). In addition this fish was also reported from Dadu District (UBC, 1996), Deh Abro Kota, Larkana District
and Habibkot, Rohri, Sukkur District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Ghulamullah, G. M. Barrage, Sunhari Canal, Pir Pattho,
Wir, Mirpur Sakro, Ghorabari, Gharo, Dhabeji (Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Haleji Lake (Baqai et al, 1974; Kehar et
al, 1995; Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Hyderabad (Ahmad, 1963h; Kehar et al, 1992), Jacobabad (Ahmad, 1949-50),
Jhangi Sir (Ahmed et al, 1999), Jugul Kumb, Kasmore, Jacobabad District (Ahmad and Khan, 1974), Kotri (Kehar
et al, 1992), Khairpur (Ahmad, 1963k; Khatoon and Baqai, 1972), Kinjhar Lake (Kehar et al, 1995, Khatoon and
Baqai, 1972; Korai et al., 2008;Siddiqui et al, 1973; Sufi, 1957), Larkana (Ahmad, 1963l), Leth Nullah, Lower
Indus Basin (Husain, 1973), Manchar Lake (Ahmad, 1949-50; Baig and Khan, 1976; Jafri, 2004; Jafri et al, 1999;
Khatoon and Baqai, 1972; Prashad and Mukerji, 1930; Sufi, 1962), Mirpur Sakro (Ahmad et al, 1985; Niazi and
Moazzam, 1999), Nara Game Reserve (Khan, 2004), Rapp Lake, Kashmore, Jacobabad District (Ahmad et al,
1976), Ring Dam, Kotri Barrage (Kehar et al, 1995), Rohri, Sukkur District (Ahmad and Khan, 1974), Sanghar
(Ahmed, 1963s), Sehwan, Dadu District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Sukkur (Ahmad, 1963w), Thatta (Ahmad, 1949-50,
1963x) and Khatoon and Baqai, 1972).
This species was reported from Punjab by Ahmad et al (1976), Jayaram (1981), Lone (1983), Mirza (1970,
2003), Mirza and Alam (2002), Mirza and Sharif (1996), Qureshi and Ali (1975) and Rafique (2000). It is also
reported from Attock (Ahmad, 1963b), Bajwat Area, District Sailkot (Qazi et al, 2000), Dera Ghazi Khan (Ahmad,
1963d), Head Qadirabad, Gujranwala (Altaf et al., 2011; Latif, et al., 2016c), Failsalabad (Ahmad, 1963n),
Gujranwala (Ahmad, 1963f), Gujrat (Ahmad, 1963g), Head Baloki, Trimmu (Khan et al., 2011), Head Khanki,
River Chanab (Latif et al., 2016a), Head Marala, Chenab River (Latif et al., 2016b), Indus River at Taunsa Barrage
(Iqbal and Saleemi, 2017), Jhang (Ahmad, 1963i), Jehlum (Ahmad, 1963j), Jinnah Barrage (Rafique et al, 2003),
Kalabagh (Mirza and Jan, 1993), Kasur District (Roberts, 1994); Khanpur Dam, Hard Bridge near Lawrencepur
(Qureshi et al, 1988), Lahore (Ahmad, 1943, 1963l; Ahmad et al, 1976; Anonymous, 1999; Mirza, 1970, 1975b,
1982), Marala, Sailkot District (Mirza and Khan, 1988), Multan (Ahmad, 1963o), Muzaffargarh Canal, Magasson
Drain, Muzaffargarh District (Ahmad et al, 1976), Nullah Aik and Palku (Qadir, 2010), Rahimyar Khan (Ahmad,
1963q), Rawalpindi (Ahmad, 1963r), Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Wah area (Akhtar et al, 1990), River Chenab
(Altaf et al., 2015), River Chenab between Khanki and Qadirabad (Javed et al, 1997), River Chenab in District

GLASSFISHES (FAMILY AMBASSIDAE) FROM PAKISTAN 539
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Jhang (Afzal et al, 1995), River Indus near Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan District (Qureshi and Ali, 1975), River Ravi
(Pervaiz et al., 2018), Sargodha (Ahmad, 1963t), Sheikhupura (Ahmad, 1963u), Sailkot (Ahmad, 1963v), Soan
River basin (Rafique, 2001), Sutlej River in Lahore District (Bashir and Mirza, 1975) and Trimu, Jhang District
(Ahmad et al, 1976).
From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it is reported by Ahmad et al (1976), Mirza (2003), Bannu (Ahmad, 1963a) and
Qureshi and Ali, 1975). It was reported from Charsada (Butt and Mirza, 1981; Khattak et al., 2015), Dera Ismail
Khan (Ahmad, 1963e; Butt, 1986; Mirza and Ahmad, 1974; Qureshi and Ali, 1975), Indus River in Dera Ismail
Khan District (V), Hazara (Rafique, 2000), Mardan (Butt and Mirza, 1981; Khattak et al., 2015), Nizampur (Butt
and Mirza, 1981; Khattak et al., 2015), Nowshera (Butt, 1986; Butt and Mirza, 1981; Khattak et al., 2015),
Peshawer (Butt and Mirza, 1981; Qureshi and Ali, 1975; Rafique, 2000), Risalpur, Peshawar District (Butt and
Mirza, 1981), River Indus near Mian Dehri (Mirza et al, 1995) and Spur No. 15 Chasma Road, Dera Ismail Khan
District (Ahmad et al, 1976; Butt and Nawaz, 1978). It is also reported from southeastern Balochistan (27o N, 67o E)
Dak bunglow (UBC, 1996), Azad Kashmir (Mirza, 2003; Mirza and Sharif, 1996; Rafique, 2000) and Mangla Lake
(Mirza et al (1989),
This species is also known from zoogeographic areas Indus Balochistan (Rafique, 2000), Indus plain and
adjoining hills (Mirza, 1974, 1975a) and northern mountane and submountane regions of Pakistan (Mirza, 1976).
Originally this species was described as Chanda ranga from Gangetic provinces, India by Hamillton-Buchanan
(1822), however, no type is known (Frickle et al., 2022). This species is known to occur in Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal (Froese and Pauly, 2022). This species is found in sluggish
and standing water. During the present study, a number of samples collected from Pakistan (both Sindh and
Balochistan) were examined. The photograph of specimen given in this paper was collected from Chilya Hatchery,
Thatta by scoop net on 24 September 2022.
Parambassis thomasi (Day, 1870)
This species is commonly known as Western Ghat glassy perchlet. It was reported by Misra (1962) and Sorley
(1932) from Sindh. Originally it is described as Ambassis thomassi from Calicut and Manglore, India by Day
(1870). No holotype is known, however, syntypes are housed in Australian Museum, Sydney, N. S. W., Australia,
British Museum of Natural History, London, U. K., MCZ, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France,
Zoologisches Museum, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (Frickle et al.,
2022). This species is known to be distributed in Western Ghats of Kerala and Karnataka in India and Mynamar
(Froese and Pauly, 2022; Talwar and Jhingran, 1992). Its presence in Pakistan is considered to be doubtful. During
present study no specimen of this species was examined.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to Mr. Aslam Ansari, Director (Fisheries), Government of Sindh for making available
photograph of Parambassis ranga collected from Chilya Hatchery, Thatta.
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(Accepted for publication October 2022)