The New International Encyclopædia/Climbing Fish

CLIMBING FISH. One of the small Oriental fishes of the family Anabantidæ, interesting because of the modification of the upper portion of their branchial apparatus into a series of leaf-like structures, adapted for retaining small quantities of water. This water is sufficient to keep the gills moist for a considerable time, thus enabling the fish to subsist in mud or out of water. For a special account of this apparatus, consult Dobson, Proceedings of the Zoölogical Society of London, 1874, p. 312. The numerous species live in fresh water in southeastern Asia and its neighboring islands, and in South Africa. The best-known and typical species is the climbing perch (Anabas scandens), which is widely distributed in the Orient, and especially abundant in the Ganges valley. It is about six inches in length, somewhat resembles a perch, and has large scales and a spiny dorsal fin. It has been reported to climb palm-trees, but this needs verification. It often, however, leaves pools which are in danger of drying and travels over land in search of water, usually during the night or early morning, while the dew is still on.

HEAD OF CLIMBING PERCH.

a, Gills; b, Leaf-like apparatus serving as air-breathing lungs.