Anabas

Introducing the fascinating world of the Anabas fish genus, which adds a distinctive touch to any aquarium. These fish, also referred to as climbing perches, are a great option for both beginning and seasoned anglers because of their amazing ability to travel over land. In your home aquarium, Anabas can spark a lot of conversation thanks to their eye-catching appearance and fascinating behaviors.

Anabas are people from Southeast Asia who are renowned for being resilient and adaptive. When they venture out of the water, their ability to breathe air thanks to a unique organ is a huge advantage. This makes them extremely resilient and low-maintenance fish that can live in a variety of settings, including tiny pools and even puddles.

Anabas are relatively easy to take care of in an aquarium. They like a well-planted tank with lots of hiding places and do best in warm, slightly acidic to neutral water. It’s entertaining to watch them swim and occasionally venture ashore as part of their natural behavior. The attractive and interesting Anabas fish might be the ideal addition to your aquarium if you’re searching for a fish that’s both unusual and captivating.

Aspect Details
Common Name Climbing Perch
Scientific Name Anabas testudineus
Origin Southeast Asia
Size Up to 12 inches (30 cm)
Appearance Greenish-brown body with a rough texture
Behavior Omnivorous, known for its ability to walk on land
Tank Setup Requires a well-planted tank with access to air
Water Conditions Prefers warm water, 75-82°F (24-28°C), slightly acidic to neutral pH
Diet Live or frozen foods like worms, insects, and small fish
Compatibility Can be aggressive, best kept with other large, robust fish
Special Note Can survive out of water for short periods, uses pectoral fins to move on land

History

In 1792. German ichthyologist and naturalist M.E. Bloch named the climbing perch Anabas testudineus, or climbing anabas, and organized it. The fish is a member of the genus Anabas, which includes two species: Anabas testudineus and Anabas cobojius. It is a member of the crawling family. In 1870, the London Zoological Park’s exposition featured the first climbing anabas in Europe. Only in 1960 did crawling fish arrive in the USSR. Fish farms exist in certain countries where anabas are bred not only for aquarium trade but also for their delicious flesh.

Habitat

South Asia is home to both fish species. Southeast Asian countries with Anabas testudineus include Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Laos, and southern China. and Anabas cobojius in Bangladesh and India. Small, warm bodies of fresh or brackish water are preferred by anababas.

Fish can be found in flooded rice fields, ponds, marshes, and estuaries. The presence of anabases is not limited to standing reservoirs. Rivers and sluggish streams can support adult life. They do well in low-oxygen water that is turbid. Shallow bodies of water with lots of vegetation are preferred by them.

The fish can spend weeks in a moist "niche" after being buried in silt up to a depth of one meter during the dry season.

Features of the structure and appearance

Anabas Ordinary’s body length is 20 cm, while Anabas Gangan’s body length can reach up to 30 cm in nature. The age and nutrition of the fish determine its body shape.

Anabas’s body is thick, long, and nearly straight in the back. a little bit compressed at the sides. Large, wedge-shaped head with an even larger mouth, which appears even more due to the dark stripes that descend to the gill covers and surround the mouth slot. large, convex eyes with a ring of reddish-orange color surrounding the pupil. The fish has the ability to roll its eyes like a chameleon, giving a clear picture.

The fish can move along trees more easily because the gill covers are solid and have large, sharp serrations along the edge. The fish clings to the smallest irregularities and uses them like a climber uses an ice ax. The climbing perch tears strong fibers to free itself from the nets, thanks to these spines.

Long and pointed dorsal fin. Anal and pectoral rays are tough, spiky muscles. beneath the base of the pectorals is the abdomen. The fish crawls pretty quickly on land thanks to them. Round caudal fin.

The skin tone is either olive or gray-brown rather than bright. The color is darker on the back. It may have an orange hue in young fish. tummy: pale yellow-white. Up to ten pieces of oblique stripes, each with a few tiny dark spots, cover the sides. When a fish is young, its stripes are easily noticeable; as it gets older, its spots disappear and its color becomes more consistent.

There are noticeable large, single, dark spots on the caudal peduncle and gill covers. A large patch of reddish-brown skin is present on the back of the head. The dorsal and anal fin bases are small, and the body is covered in large, jagged scales.

The anabas fish is a member of the labyrinth fish genus. Fish can move on land because of this labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe atmospheric air.

Anabas are dimorphic in their sexuality. The heads of men are wider. Its coloring deepens during the mating season, turning red around the fins and on the back of the head. The female has a fuller, especially in the abdomen, but smaller frame. has a more subdued hue.

Conditions for keeping in an aquarium

Fish called anabas can adjust to living in a home aquarium, but there are some requirements for this:

  1. Choice of capacity. For a couple of crawlers, an aquarium of more than 100 liters is required. It is optimal to keep anabas in a group of 4-6 individuals. There should be an equal number of males and females in the school, or females should predominate. The container must be tightly closed with a lid or glass so that the fish cannot leave the aquarium.
  2. Water parameters: temperature – +26-30 ° C; hardness – 20 ° dH; pH – 6.8-8.0.
  3. A good filter, since voracious anabases leave a lot of waste products, and a water heater. Aeration is desirable, but not necessary. Weekly, you need to change up to 20% of the water (read more about how to properly change the water in the aquarium).
  4. Soil. The bottom of the aquarium is covered with fine river sand.
  5. Vegetation – bottom and floating plants. The most popular plants for an aquarium with anabass are: hygrophila, cryptocorynes, limnophila, rotala, vallisneria, fern, etc.d. They will create dense thickets, but the plants need to be planted so that there are “clearings” for swimming. Floating plants create the necessary shading, which the anabas love.
  6. Shelters – driftwood, grottoes, rockeries, ceramic shards. Decorated with Java moss, monosolenium tenerum, weeping moss, decorative elements will fit into the aquarium design.

Aquarium enthusiasts find the fascinating fish Anabas, also referred to as the climbing perch, captivating due to its unique behavior and adaptability. This amazing species is well known for its ability to breathe air and travel over land, which makes it a durable addition to a home aquarium. By being aware of the natural habitat, maintenance needs, and unique traits of the Anabas, aquarists can create an environment that promotes the health and well-being of this fascinating fish. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced fish keeper, understanding the Anabas can help you keep an interesting and dynamic aquatic environment.

Feeding

Anabasis predators have a voracious appetite. They consume frozen and fresh food:

  • bloodworm;
  • corethra;
  • tubifex;
  • daphnia.

Anabass eats dry food as well, with a preference for flakes. Small snails are one of their delicacies.

Breeding and reproduction

After 1.5 years, the anabass reaches sexual maturity. The male and female should be housed in a spawning tank for successful reproduction.

It will be necessary to keep the temperature between +25 and +30 °C, the acidity level between 7.5 and 10, and the hardness level between 10 and 11.

Furthermore, regular water changes are required.

Spawning takes place on the ground’s surface or in the center of the water column. Approximately 4500 eggs are laid by the female, and they drift to the surface. Following this, the parents have to be put back in the main aquarium because they don’t give a damn about the kids. The fry hatch one day later. They can swim and feed themselves by the time they are two or three days old. Rotifers and "live dust" make great first foods.

Maintaining anabas is not hard. Since the fish can withstand harsh conditions like high levels of ammonia and nitrates/nitrites in the water, even a novice can complete the task. One of the most unique fish kept in home aquariums is the anabas, which has an intriguing lifestyle and manner of living. They will bring delight for a considerable amount of time when the right circumstances are met.

Photo of anabas

In conclusion, any aquarium enthusiast will find Anabas, also referred to as the climbing perch, to be an intriguing species. It’s an interesting addition to a well-thought-out tank because of its exceptional ability to navigate both land and water. These fish add a touch of exotic flair to your aquarium setup in addition to being visually captivating due to their unique appearance.

Mimicking as much of their natural habitat as possible is crucial to maintaining the health and happiness of anababas. Give your aquarium a healthy mix of hiding places and aquatic plants. Make sure there is enough room for these fish to explore and that the water quality is regularly maintained. Despite their relative adaptability due to their ability to breathe air, they still do best in stable, well-maintained environments.

Observing Anabas’ behavior is one of the best parts of owning them. They can be both entertaining and educational with their unusual movements and interactions with their surroundings. You can take pleasure in the companionship of these amazing fish while also making a positive impact on their well-being by creating an environment that meets their needs.

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Olga Vishnevskaya

Biologist by education, aquarist by vocation. Specialization — breeding and care of freshwater aquarium plants. Since childhood I have been fond of aquariums, constantly experimenting with creating biotopes and selecting flora for various types of aquariums. I am sure that green aquariums can transform any interior and improve the quality of life.

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