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Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) — Anabantidae

Gangetic climbing perch

Anabas cobojius
Family: Anabantidae

The Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) is a freshwater fish of the family Anabantidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Gangetic climbing perch is a labyrinth fish (Anabantidae) from fresh water of South Asia, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a robust, green-grey body with spiny fins and serrated gill covers. Thanks to a labyrinth organ it can breathe air and crawl over land for short distances, tolerating oxygen-poor pools. As an omnivore it eats invertebrates, plant material and detritus. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans, though the sharp gill covers can graze.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gangetic climbing perch?

The Gangetic climbing perch has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Gangetic climbing perch live?

The Gangetic climbing perch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal

How big does the Gangetic climbing perch get?

The Gangetic climbing perch grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Gangetic climbing perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Gangetic climbing perch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Gangetic climbing perch edible?

Yes, the Gangetic climbing perch is commonly eaten.

More photos

Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) — Anabantidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Shin-Ming Ku, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) — Anabantidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) — Anabantidae — 4
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Gangetic climbing perch (Anabas cobojius) — Anabantidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — James Emerson Tennent (1804–1869) (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Gangetic climbing perch sourced
Scientific name
Anabas cobojius
Family
Anabantidae
Other names
Gangetic koi; Climbing perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Anabas

More from the family Anabantidae

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