dcsimg

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

provided by AnAge articles
Maximum longevity: 8 years (captivity)
license
cc-by-3.0
copyright
Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
editor
de Magalhaes, J. P.
partner site
AnAge articles

Brief Summary

provided by EOL authors

Anabas testudineus is a small fish from Indian waterscommonly called as climbing perch. Testudineusmeans “turtle like"(1) . Its common name in Bengali is Koi and in Telugu it is called as “Gorkalu”.

This is a fish widely distributed throughout south and southeast Asia. It is a very common fish found in the river and pond waters of Machilipatnam and Eluru of Andhra Pradesh. It is a Bengali delicacy and is frequently exported to West Bengal from Eluru. This fish is a column feeder and a larvicidal fish (feeds upon mosquito larvae(2)) and hence used to control mosquito larvae.Anabasis grayish green in color and has brown fins. It grows up to 9 inches and is a very hardy fish, due to the presence of accessory respiratory organ. (Rosette like structures found very close to the pectoral fin) and is known to survive for 8 years in captivity(3). Basically a carnivorous fish, is also known to eat rice(4).

Body is covered by cycloid scales. Lateral line sense organ is identified by the black spots as conspicuous one at the base of the caudal fin(5).

Male and female fishes are identified only during the breeding season, by the difference in their color. During the breeding season, the females show a brilliant orange color with shades of yellow on the ventral side of the abdomen and also on the pelvic fin. During spawning season the abdomen of the female is slightly bulged out(6).

Climbing perch can live in water low in oxygen, polluted water, and also water with rotting vegetation. In such waters, the fish rises to surface and gulps air. Anabascan survive out of water for about 6-10 hours(7).

During dry seasons, the fish burrows in the mud and is in resting phase. It is interesting to see the fish travelling in troops on the ground, during early morning and at times of rain storm. This is a migratory fish, migrating from one pond to another during rainy season for spawning(8).

Legend about the Climbing Perch:As this fish is frequently found on tree tops and also found hanging from trees or living in water filled slits of a palm tree. (9)It was believed that the fish would travel and climbing the trees. This was observed and confirmed by Lieutenant Daldrof of the Danish East India Company in the year 1797, so people believed it to be truly climbing perch for nearly 250 years. It was in the year 1927, that this myth about this fish as climbing perch was clarified by the study of B.K Das(10)an Indian expert on fishes.

This fish, when travelling as troops are often caught by birds such as pond crows and kites catch and carry them off and park them on tree tops, and slits of trees. Perch can live without water for days and so were found alive on most of tree tops and hence the name as climbing perch. As the myth has been cleared, it is more appropriately now called as “Walking Perch” rather than as climbing perch(11).

license
cc-by-3.0
copyright
Padmavathi Godavarthy
original
visit source
partner site
EOL authors

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Stellantchasmus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Trophic Strategy

provided by Fishbase
Found mostly in canals, lakes, ponds, swamps and estuaries (Ref. 41236). Occurs in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Recorde from rice fields (Ref. 50862). Often found in areas with dense vegetation (Ref. 12693). Can tolerate extremely unfavorable water conditions and is associated mainly with turbid, stagnant waters (Ref. 6028). Remains buried under the mud during dry season (Ref. 1479). Feeds on macrophytic vegetation, shrimps and fish fry (Ref. 6028). Reported to undertake lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and return to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). During the dry season, it stays in pools associated with submerged woods and shrubs (Ref. 37770). Possesses an accessory air-breathing organ (Ref. 2847). Able to survive for several days or weeks out of water if the air breathing organs can be kept moist (Ref. 1479); uses its highly mobile suboperculum and strong fins spines to pull itself over land to move between bodies of water (Ref. 76895).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Pascualita Sa-a
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Morphology

provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Anal spines: 9 - 11; Analsoft rays: 8 - 11
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Estelita Emily Capuli
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Migration

provided by Fishbase
Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Life Cycle

provided by Fishbase
Guards eggs at the surface of hypoxic waters (Ref. 7471).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Armi G. Torres
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Paragendria Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Camallanus Infection 8. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Neopecoelina Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Allocreadium Infestation 6. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Lernaea Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Camallanus Infection 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Centrocestus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Procerovum Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Gnathostoma Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Procerovum Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Tripartiella Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Dactylogyrus Gill Flukes Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Contracaecum Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Anchor worm Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diagnostic Description

provided by Fishbase
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.
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Estelita Emily Capuli
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Biology

provided by Fishbase
Found mostly in canals, lakes, ponds, swamps and estuaries (Ref. 41236, 57235). Adults occur in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Often found in areas with dense vegetation (Ref. 12693). Can tolerate extremely unfavorable water conditions and is associated mainly with turbid, stagnant waters (Ref. 6028). They remain buried under the mud during dry season (Ref. 1479). Feed on macrophytic vegetation, shrimps and fish fry (Ref. 6028). Reported to undertake lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and return to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). During the dry season, they stay in pools associated with submerged woods and shrubs (Ref. 37770). Posses an accessory air-breathing organ (Ref. 2847). Able to survive for several days or weeks out of water if the air breathing organs can be kept moist (Ref. 1479). Quite famous for its ability to walk; important food fish in SE Asia, considered as a tasty food fish (Ref. 6565) but not of the finest quality since it is bony (Ref. 2686). Usually sold live in markets where it is kept alive for several days by keeping it moist (Ref. 12693). Economic foodfish in the Southeast Asia (Ref. 57235).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Importance

provided by Fishbase
fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Anabas testudineus

provided by wikipedia EN

The climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is a species of amphibious freshwater fish in the family Anabantidae (the climbing gouramis). A labyrinth fish native to Far Eastern Asia, the fish inhabits freshwater systems from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the west, to Southern China in the east, and to Southeast Asia west of the Wallace Line in the south. It is likely that Anabas testudineus is a species complex, with the binomial name applied to what are actually several different species. With further study, populations of this fish may be divided up into separate species and given new names.[1]

The climbing perch is euryhaline and can grow to 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length.[2] Outside its native ranges, it is an invasive species that can live without water for 6–10 hours[3] and move on land by crawling/wriggling the body with its pectoral fins. It is believed that the fish may be invading new territories by slipping aboard fishing boats. The fish has been established in some islands east of the Wallace Line, in eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and is also believed to be advancing toward Northern Australia. In late 2005, the fish was discovered on Saibai Island and another small Australian island in the Torres Strait north of Queensland, about three to four miles south of Papua New Guinea.[4]

As food

The climbing perch is important as a food fish in certain regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia, where its ability to survive out of the water for extended periods of time, provided it is kept moist, improves its marketability.[2]

Pla mo at a riverside market in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand
Anabas testudineus curry preparation

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ahmad, A.B.; Hadiaty, R.K.; de Alwis Goonatilake, S.; Fernado, M.; Kotagama, O. (2019). "Anabas testudineus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T166543A174787197. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T166543A174787197.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Anabas testudineus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
  3. ^ Hughes, G. M.; B. N. Singh (1970). "Respiration in an Air-Breathing Fish, the Climbing Perch Anabas Testudineus Bloch". Journal of Experimental Biology. 53: 265–280. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  4. ^ Jonathan Pearlman, Aggressive 'walking' fish is heading south towards Australia, scientists warn, The Telegraph, Tuesday 02 June 2015 from telegraph.co.uk, accessed June 2, 2015.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Anabas testudineus: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is a species of amphibious freshwater fish in the family Anabantidae (the climbing gouramis). A labyrinth fish native to Far Eastern Asia, the fish inhabits freshwater systems from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the west, to Southern China in the east, and to Southeast Asia west of the Wallace Line in the south. It is likely that Anabas testudineus is a species complex, with the binomial name applied to what are actually several different species. With further study, populations of this fish may be divided up into separate species and given new names.

The climbing perch is euryhaline and can grow to 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length. Outside its native ranges, it is an invasive species that can live without water for 6–10 hours and move on land by crawling/wriggling the body with its pectoral fins. It is believed that the fish may be invading new territories by slipping aboard fishing boats. The fish has been established in some islands east of the Wallace Line, in eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and is also believed to be advancing toward Northern Australia. In late 2005, the fish was discovered on Saibai Island and another small Australian island in the Torres Strait north of Queensland, about three to four miles south of Papua New Guinea.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN