Singapore Glassy Perchlet

Ambassis kopsii

The Singapore Glassy Perchlet is a small fish reaching a maximum length of 10.2 cm. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in areas such as Malaya, Indonesia, Borneo, and the Philippines, and has recently been recorded in the Indian region. This species inhabits coastal and brackish waters and is known to occasionally ascend into freshwater environments. Divers are likely to encounter it in shallow waters, as all recorded observations are at depths shallower than 40 meters, with most being found at less than 10 meters. The Singapore Glassy Perchlet feeds primarily on invertebrates, making it a part of the trophic ecology of its habitat. It is a demersal species, meaning it lives and feeds on or near the bottom of the water body. Despite being part of commercial fisheries, it is harmless to humans and is marketed either fresh or dried and salted. In terms of conservation, the Singapore Glassy Perchlet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List as of August 2023. Divers may find this species in a variety of environments, including coastal and brackish waters, where it contributes to the local biodiversity.