Get to know more about the Anabas testudineus fish
Anabas testudineus fish is the name of a type of freshwater fish which in Indonesia is also called by other names, namely Betik fish, Betok fish, puyu-puyu fish, papuyu fish.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class : Actinopteri
Order: Anabantiformes
Family: Anabantidae
Genus: Anabas
Species: Anabas testudineus
Anabas testudineus fish is classified as a small fish because it can only grow up to a maximum length of 25 cm, but in general this fish is found only about 20 cm long.
The size of the head of this fish is larger than the body. Anabas testudineus fish has hard scales. The back of the gills has a serrated cap, sharp and has a thorn-like texture.
Anabas testudineus fish or papuyu fish are known for their ability to climb to land, therefore this fish is also known as climbing gouramy or climbing perch.
In the waters, although this fish breathes using gills, the Anabas testudineus fish is able to take oxygen in the air directly. This fish has a labyrinth that makes it able to breathe in air like catfish and snakehead fish.
This ability makes the Anabas testudineus fish able to survive when there is a drought in the dry season where the environmental habitat only leaves mud. At times like this, usually the fish will find another place to live that is still watery.
By having the ability to breathe in air, the Anabas testudineus fish is able to crawl to land and walk with its gill covers. These gill covers can be widened and function like legs. This is how these fish survive to find new water sources in a few hours.
If this fish does not find another water source or does not find an aquatic environment that still has a water source, then this fish will die.
In addition to having the ability to survive without water for a while, Anabas testudineus fish are also easy to adapt to a saltwater environment. During the dry season, Anabas testudineus fish tend to hibernate in the mud until the rainy season comes.
By having hard scales and sharp gill covers like thorns, this part is a protection from attacks by birds of prey, such as pelicans. Even pelicans who are desperate to prey on fish are at risk of dying from choking on thorns.