Glassy Bombay Duck

Interesting Info

• The Glassy Bombay Duck is found in the northern waters of Australia, along the coasts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and northern New South Wales.
• It features a translucent body with a slender, ribbon-like shape. It has a pointed snout and is known for its unique transparency, which allows it to blend in with its surroundings. Their colouration may exhibit subtle hues of blue, silver, or green, depending on environmental factors and light refraction.
• They are carnivores that feed on small crustaceans like prawns, zooplankton and smaller fish.
• The glassy Bombay duck fish obtained its name from a mail train, Bombay Daak (Daak meaning mail), during the British Raj in India. The fish became associated with the train due to the strong smell of dried fish being transported, eventually leading to its popular moniker, “Bombay duck.”
• They are known to be more active during the night time, where they emerge from their hiding places to forage for food under the cover of darkness.
• They are solitary creatures and are often encountered alone rather than in schools or groups.
• Glassy Bombay Duck are primarily ambush predators. They lie in wait, partially buried in the sand or mud, and use their cryptic appearance to surprise unsuspecting prey that ventures too close.
• Breeding generally takes place during the warmer months, typically from November to February.
• Their lifespan is though to be between 5 – 9 years like many lizardfish.