TankBud

Climbing perch

Anabas testudineus

FreshwaterFish

Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)
Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0

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
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Anabantidae
Origin
South Asia, South East Asia

Overview

The climbing perch is a tough, aggressive air-breather for a robust tank with a tight lid. It is hardy but not a beginner fish.

Did you know

The climbing perch is named for its ability to leave the water and travel over damp ground. It shuffles along on its spiny gill covers and fins in search of new pools. It can survive for days out of water if kept moist.

Caring for the climbing perch

Give the climbing perch a tank of at least 40 gal (150 L). It is a determined escape artist, so a heavy, tight-fitting lid is essential. A simple, robust setup suits it, with a soft substrate and some sturdy wood or rock. Plants are optional because it is boisterous, but floating cover helps it feel secure and keeps the surface calm for air breathing.

It tolerates a very wide temperature span, from 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. That tolerance is part of why it is so hardy. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and sinking carnivore pellets. It is greedy and takes almost anything offered.

The climbing perch is tough and aggressive, so keep it alone or with large, robust fish it cannot bully or swallow. It will eat smaller tank mates, so plan stocking with care. It is fine in a group of its own kind. It spends much of its time rooting around near the bottom and comes up to the surface to breathe.

It spawns by scattering floating eggs that are left unguarded. Breeding at home is essentially unrecorded.

Good to know

Anabas testudineus is the best-known member of the family Anabantidae. Its labyrinth organ is unusually well developed, letting it breathe air efficiently. The species name testudineus means tortoise-like, for the hard, plated look of its head and gill covers.

In the wild

The climbing perch is widespread across South and Southeast Asia. It lives in ponds, canals, swamps, rice paddies and stagnant pools that are often warm and poorly oxygenated.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the climbing perch by at least two published care guides. Tank mates must be robust and close to its size, since the climbing perch eats smaller fish.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Aquarium Glaser.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a climbing perch need?

A climbing perch needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a climbing perch need?

A climbing perch is comfortable at 59–86°F (15–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a climbing perch eat?

A climbing perch eats meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and sinking carnivore pellets. It is greedy and takes almost anything offered, including smaller tank mates.

How big does a climbing perch get?

An adult climbing perch reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a climbing perch breed?

A climbing perch scatters floating eggs and leaves them unguarded. Breeding one at home is essentially unrecorded.

What fish can live with the climbing perch?

Published care guides name tinfoil barb, spanner barb, striped raphael catfish and common pleco. Tank mates must be robust and close to its size, since the climbing perch eats smaller fish.

Related species