Labyrinth Fishes: Anabantoidei

Physical characteristics: Climbing perch are about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. The body shape ranges from oval in profile and narrow from side to side to long and slightly round in cross-section. The bones of the gill cover have strong spines. The dorsal and anal fins are long and have strong spines. The dorsal (DOOR-suhl) fin is the one along the midline of the back. The anal (AY-nuhl) fin is the one along the midline of the belly. The scales are rough. The air-breathing organ is very large. The body is light beige with darker spots. On each side of the fish there is a large black spot between the gill cover spines and another on the tail.

Geographic range: Climbing perch live in Asia. They have been accidentally released in the United States.

Climbing perch can travel over land. They use the spiny bones on their gill covers and side-to-side wriggling of the body to move themselves forward. (Illustration by Michelle Meneghini. Reproduced by permission.)

Habitat: Climbing perch live in all types of fresh water.

Diet: Climbing perch eat plants, invertebrates, and small fish.

Behavior and reproduction: Climbing perch can travel over land. They use the spiny bones on their gill covers and side-to-side wriggling of the body to move themselves forward. These fish drown if they cannot rise to the surface to gulp air. To survive drought they bury themselves in the mud of drying-up water bodies. Climbing perch do not take care of their eggs or their young. Eggs hatch twenty-four hours after being released.

Climbing perch and people: Climbing perch is a popular food fish in Southeast Asia.

Conservation status: Climbing perch are not threatened or endangered. ∎