Climbing perch

Anabas testudineus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 59–86°F (15–30°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 7.9 in (20 cm)
Minimum tank: 40 gal (150 L)
Temperament: Aggressive
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: South Asia, South East Asia
Family: Anabantidae

Overview

The climbing perch is a tough, aggressive air-breather that is best kept alone or with large, robust fish it cannot bully or swallow. It spends much of its time low in the tank, rooting around near the bottom, but comes to the surface to breathe. It is greedy and will eat smaller tankmates, so plan stocking with care. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and sinking carnivore pellets, and expect it to take almost anything offered. Because it is a determined escape artist that can survive out of water, a heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential. Give it a tank of at least 150 liters.

In the wild

Anabas testudineus is widespread across South and Southeast Asia, living in ponds, canals, swamps, rice paddies and stagnant pools that are often warm and poorly oxygenated. It tolerates a very wide temperature span, from about 15 to 30 degrees Celsius, and pH from 6.0 to 7.5, which is part of why it is so hardy. A simple, robust setup suits it: a soft substrate, some sturdy wood or rock, and a tight lid. Plants are optional, as the fish is boisterous, but floating cover helps it feel secure and keeps the surface calm for air breathing.

Good to know

The climbing perch is the best known member of the family Anabantidae and reaches around 20 centimeters. Its labyrinth organ is unusually well developed, letting it breathe air efficiently and survive for long periods out of water. It spawns by scattering floating eggs that are left unguarded, and home breeding is essentially unrecorded. The species name testudineus, meaning tortoise-like, refers to the hard, plated appearance of its head and gill covers.

Did you know

The climbing perch earns its name from its ability to leave the water and travel over damp ground, using its spiny gill covers and fins to shuffle along in search of new pools. It can breathe air and survive for days out of water if kept moist.