Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)

Scientific name: Anabas testudineus Bloch, 1792

The Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is a freshwater fish of the family Anabantidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–30°C (72–86°F). Native range: Asia, India to Wallace line including China. May have been distributed in more areas than were commonly reported.

Climbing perch care at a glance

Temperature: 22–30°C (72–86°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 9 - 11; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Color in life dark to pale greenish, very pale below, back dusky to olive; head with longitudinal stripes ventrally; posterior margin of opercle with a dark spot; iris golden reddish. Body form variable, affected by age and amount of food consumed. Scaled head with 4-5 rows between eye and rear margin of preoperculum. Scales large and regularly arranged, ciliate.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Anabas testudineus
Family: Anabantidae (Climbing gouramies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 25.0
Common length: 12.5
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 0 - ? m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: India to Wallace line including China. May have been distributed in more areas than were commonly reported.
Conservation status (IUCN): Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Assuming tm=1; K=1.4; Fec=40,000-80,000)