Gangetic climbing perch

Care at a glance

Overview

This large, hardy perch needs a 250 litre tank at 22 to 30 C with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and a tightly fitted lid, since it can climb and jump. It is a robust omnivore and predator, so feed earthworms, prawns, pellets, and vegetable matter, and expect it to eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. Keep it with similarly large, sturdy tankmates or on its own. It tolerates a wide range of conditions but still appreciates clean, well-filtered water.

In the wild

Lives in still and slow waters across the Ganges plain, including ponds, ditches, canals, and flooded fields. It is an extremely hardy air-breather that can survive in stagnant, low-oxygen water. During dry spells it can move over land to find new pools. It is a robust, adaptable fish rather than a delicate one.

Good to know

Anabas cobojius belongs to the family Anabantidae and is the larger Gangetic relative of the widespread climbing perch Anabas testudineus. It grows to around 25 cm and is a valued food fish in its native range, where it is known locally as koi. It is an obligate air-breather that drowns if it cannot reach the surface.

Did you know

Climbing perch are famous for surviving out of water for hours and walking across land on their gill covers and fins to reach a new pond.

Related species

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