Resting on the substrate of a shallow,
silty, open-country pond, Singapore.
Specimen in an open-country stream in the
Western Catchment, Singapore.
Order : Perciformes
Family : ANABANTIDAE
Species : Anabas testudineus
Maximum Length : 23 cm
References : F1
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The Asian Climbing Perch
is an adaptable species of forest streams and open-country water bodies. It
is commonly seen resting on the substrate of shallow ponds.
Climbing perch are able to survive for some time out of water in damp
environments : at such times they gulp air which they retain in a labyrinth
organ - this is a specialised structure in the head designed to absorb
atmospheric oxygen. In temporarily waterlogged habitats, such as flooded
grassland or swamp forest, they are thus able to migrate from one water body
to another.
They 'walk' by opening the gill plates for support, and then pushing forward
with the strong pectoral, pelvic and tail fins.
The species is best identified by the thickset body and rounded head, and by
the small black markings which occur on the gill plates and at the base of
the tail. The dorsal fin is long and spiny, and the tail fin short.
It is omnivorous, feeding on plant matter as well as small invertebrates or
fish.
The Asian Climbing Perch is widespread, ranging from India to much of
Southeast Asia and East Asia.
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