Climbing perch

Quick facts

Adult size

25 cm, 400 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

240 to 365 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 5 years

Diet

omnivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

beginner

Water parameters

Temperature range

18–32°C (optimum 27°C)

pH

5.5 to 8.5

Hardness

2 to 25 dGH

Minimum tank

150 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

35% target

Daily feed (warm water)

2.00% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.50% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

50 g per litre of system water

A 400g adult eats about 8.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 80 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

Native to freshwater habitats across South and Southeast Asia, from India through Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The species (Anabas testudineus) is a labyrinth fish that breathes atmospheric air using a suprabranchial organ, allowing it to survive in near-anoxic water, buried in mud during droughts, and even to 'walk' short distances across damp land using its gill plates and pectoral fins. This overland migration ability and extreme environmental tolerance make it both a resilient culture species and a serious invasive threat outside its native range. Adults reach 15–25 cm and 100–250 g. Climbing perch is a common food fish in rural Southeast Asia, typically caught wild or grown in extensive pond culture. The flesh is white and somewhat bony but is widely consumed in the region.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

10 to 13 (winter low around -1°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Required for year-round operation

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

Care notes

A tropical, low-tech aquaponics species suited to Southeast Asian conditions. Temperature range: 22–35°C, optimal at 28–32°C. The species thrives in the warm, nutrient-rich water typical of tropical aquaponics systems. Growth is moderate: 100–200 g in 8-12 months on commercial pellet (28-35% protein). FCR is approximately 1.5-2.5 depending on feed quality. The extraordinary environmental tolerance means climbing perch survive conditions that would kill most other fish: dissolved oxygen near zero (they breathe air), wide pH swings, high ammonia, and temporary dewatering. This makes them nearly foolproof for beginners in tropical climates. Stocking density can be high (20-40 g/L) because they tolerate crowding well. The main constraint outside Southeast Asia is legality: climbing perch is classified as a noxious invasive species in Australia and several other countries, and is not available for culture in most Western jurisdictions. The air-breathing and overland-walking ability makes containment difficult, and escapes into local waterways could establish invasive populations in warm climates. Where legal and culturally appropriate (primarily in South and Southeast Asia), climbing perch is a practical, resilient food fish for low-input aquaponics.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else