Anabas testudineus

Anabas testudineus
File:Anabas testudineus.png
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Anabantidae
Genus:	Anabas
Species:	A. testudineus
Binomial name
Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)
Synonyms
Anabas elongatus Reuvens, 1895 Anabas macrocephalus Bleeker, 1854 Anabas microcephalus Bleeker, 1857 Anabas scandens (Daldorff, 1797) Anabas spinosus Gray, 1834 Anabas trifoliatus Kaup, 1860 Anabas variegatus Bleeker, 1851

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 fishes 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.

As food

This species is important as a food fish in certain areas of India and in Southeast Asia, where its ability to survive out of the water for extended periods of time, provided it is kept moist, improves its marketability.

File:Pla mo-Thailand25.JPG Pla mo at a riverside market in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

File:Anabas testudineus (curry preparation)-5.JPG Anabas testudineus curry preparation

See also

• List of Thai ingredients