Climbing Perch
Genus: Anabas
Species: A. testudineus
Maximum Size: 10"
Aggression: Med to High
Temperature: 75-86 F
pH: 6-8
Hardness: 5-20 dH
Brackish Tolerance: 1.000-1.010
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Feeding: Will consume anything offered. Pellets make good staple, will also accept meaty foods like chopped shellfish, krill, shrimp, pieces of earthworm and frozen fish. Some vegetable matter is appreciated
Notes: The Climbing Perch’s common name is a bit of a misnomer; not really a perch, these fish are Anabatoids and are related to Gouramis and Bettas. Like their relatives, they have a labyrinth organ and are air breathers in addition to using their gills.
Climbing Perches are predatory and territorial, meaning that any tankmates need to be fairly robust. Large, retiring fish like Ropefish, Calichthys Catfish, and Brown Hoplos work best, though larger midwater fish like Texas Cichlids, Jack Dempseys, Monos, and Scats should all work fine, provided there is enough space. Climbing Perch are not terribly shy fish and do not expressly need ornaments and plants to hide behind/within (though are appreciated). Climbing Perch may eat softer plants, though.
As may be inferred by their name, Climbing Perch are escape artists and may exit a tank without a sturdy lid or if a gap exists that are big enough to allow them to squeeze through. They may also “walk” in search of new bodies of water and you may have to search for them if they escape. Climbing Perch are tough fish, though, and normally when returned to water make a full recovery.
Sources
Aquaculture potential of Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus, in Brackish water, Piyapong Chotipuntu, Piyathap Avakul
Anabas testudineus (Climbing Perch), Seriously Fish
