Climbing perch is a group of about 40 species of small freshwater fish that can move and breathe out of water. Sometimes called walking fish, climbing perch live mainly in rivers and ponds in Asia and Africa. These fish can survive in swampy waters that have a very low oxygen level. They have a specialized organ in their gill chamber that enables them to breathe air. Some climbing perch will die if they do not come to the water’s surface to swallow air bubbles.
Climbing perch got their name because it was once believed that they could climb up the trunks of trees. However, they actually are only able to climb over rocks, tree roots, or fallen logs. They often crawl along the ground at night between pools of water. A climbing perch moves by raising itself on its pectoral fins while pushing forward with its tail.
Climbing perch grow to about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. They are eaten in much of Asia. Most species make poor aquarium fishes because they attack their own kind and other fish as well.
