Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Suborder Anabantoidei ( Anabantoidei )
Family Anabantidae ( Anabantidae )
Most anabantids have beautiful coloration and an original body structure. The slow movements of labyrinth fishes contrast nicely in an aquarium with the swift movements of more active fishes. In terms of body and fin structure, representatives of the Anabantidae family are very diverse, and their sizes vary just as much. Fish ranging from 3.5 to 60 centimeters in length can be found.
Many adult fish, especially males and sometimes young females, are aggressive toward members of their own species. Adult fish can be kept in the same aquarium if they have been raised together, but they should not be removed even for a short period: if placed back into the common aquarium afterward, fighting will begin.
A condition for maintaining peace in the aquarium is “old” water. The fact is that adding fresh water triggers spawning and the fights associated with it. If it is necessary to replace evaporated water, one should take “old” water from another stocked aquarium and add it in small portions late in the evening. Males of most anabantids are distinguished by brighter coloration, which is especially intense during the breeding season. Many of them have elongated fins.
All species belonging to the genus Anabas are similar in structure to the climbing perch. The head and terminal mouth are relatively large. They all have numerous teeth. The dorsal line is almost parallel to the belly line. The climbing perch is widely distributed in stagnant and slow-flowing waters of India, Ceylon, South China, the Malay Peninsula, and the Philippine Islands. It is sometimes found in the brackish water of mangrove swamps. In nature, climbing perches reach 25 centimeters in length, while in aquariums they are usually much smaller. Using strong anal and pectoral fins, the fish move across land, which is how they got their name, climbing perch.
The coloration of these fish varies. Usually, the upper back of the climbing perch is brownish-olive, the belly is lighter, and 8-10 oblique stripes run along its sides, becoming more intensely colored during spawning. Climbing perches can crawl out of the water, so the aquarium must be covered with a glass lid. The fish are very voracious; besides animal food of any kind, the climbing perch also eats algae and lettuce leaves. The minimum water temperature is 12°C, and they feel comfortable in the range of 15 to 30°C.
Genus Anabas — Anabas.
— Climbing Perch — Anabas testudineus [Bloch, 1792]. Synonym: Amphiprion scansor, testudineus; Anabas elongatus, macrocephalus, microcephalus, oligolepis, scandens, spinosus, trifoliatus, variegatus; Anthias testudineus. (English: Climbing Perch). South China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Indonesia. Inhabits slow-flowing and stagnant freshwater bodies (muddy ponds, lakes, ditches, rice fields, grassy areas), as well as brackish water. 25 cm, in the aquarium 12-16 cm.
They are usually kept out of curiosity, as a fish taken out of water is capable of “walking” on its fins as if on little legs. When observing these fish, one can often see them moving from one body of water to another in the early morning hours, when the ground is still wet with night dew, successfully covering certain distances without water.
In its physique, Anabas resembles cichlids. It has an elongated body, an almost straight dorsal and ventral profile, and a large head and terminal mouth. The pectoral and anal fins are powerful and well-developed. The gill covers are equipped with numerous spines that can inflict pain. It is with their help that the fish can move on land (hence the name climbing perch).
The main body coloration ranges from gray-brown to gray-green with a greenish tint, and orange specimens are also found. The back is darker, the belly yellowish. When excited, the coloration darkens, and 8-10 dark transverse stripes appear, most brightly colored during spawning.
The fins are orange or reddish. The male has brighter coloration. The male can be recognized by slightly larger dorsal and anal fins compared to the female. Females are fuller and paler than males, and their dorsal fin is rounded. Young specimens have a dark spot on the caudal peduncle in front of the caudal fin. Young fish are often confused with Ctenopoma species.
The main feature of the climbing perch is that in search of food or new water bodies, this fish can crawl on land using its pectoral and anal fins, cross rocks and other obstacles, and even climb trees. Thanks to the suprabranchial labyrinth organ (used for breathing atmospheric air), it can remain out of water for up to 8 hours.
Anabas moves not only with the help of fins but also using its gill covers (sharp edges allow it to securely grip the substrate), propelling itself with strong tail thrusts. When a water body dries up and another cannot be found, the climbing perch rocks and buries itself in moist silt for some time (up to 48 hours), which saves it from drying out and dying. This is how mass migrations of climbing perches from drying water bodies to new ones occur. They travel at night.
Omnivorous, very voracious fish. Predatory, timid, and quite quarrelsome, they are more active in the evening and night hours. Anabases feel best in a large aquarium when there are no other fish species with them. In this case, there is a high probability that they will form pairs and begin breeding.
They cannot live with tankmates due to their inherent aggressiveness and may attack other aquarium inhabitants. Keeping them should start with a group of young fish, as adults are difficult to acclimate together. They are kept in a species aquarium with a securely fitted cover glass placed at least 10 cm above the water surface (fish jump up for air and can hit it). Dense plant thickets, various shelters (stones, driftwood), and open space for swimming (and spawning) are provided in the aquarium. Lighting should be diffused.
Filtration and weekly water changes are necessary. Fish should not be caught with a net because they get tangled in it with the spines of their gill covers; instead, the fish should be gently guided into a glass container. Food: live food (including small fish, pieces of raw beef), pellet food, rice, other plant food, and substitutes. Very voracious. Sexual maturity is reached at 1.5 years of age. Spawning is stimulated by frequent water changes and temperature increases. Spawning takes place near the substrate or in mid-water. The female spawns transparent eggs that rise to the water surface and float there. T 15-30°C; dH up to 20°; pH 6.8-8.0.
Identification: Anabas — Anabas testudineus.
Sandelia bainsii, Sandelia capensis.
Systematics of labyrinth fishes. 
