Anabas testudineus

Description

Anabas testudineus, the climbing perch, is a species of fish in the family Anabantidae, the climbing gouramis. It is native to Asia, where it occurs from India east to China and to the Wallace Line. It is an invasive species that can live without water for 6 days. It is believed that the fish may be invading new territories by slipping aboard fishing boats.It has also been established in some countries outside of its native range, in eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is believed to be advancing towards 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. This species grows to 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length. It is likely that this is a species complex, with the name Anabas testudineus 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.