Ever heard of a fish that can climb trees? Sounds like something out of a tall tale, right? But nope—this one’s 100% real. Say hello to the climbing perch (scientific name: Anabas testudineus), a little fish found in India that doesn’t just swim, it walks on land and might even scale a tree branch or two!This cool creature is a freshwater fish that’s common across South and Southeast Asia—places like India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It belongs to the climbing gourami family, which already hints that it’s not your average fish.What makes the climbing perch so special? It can breathe air—yep, just like we do! Thanks to a special organ in its head called a labyrinth organ, this fish doesn’t need to stay underwater all the time. As long as it stays damp, it can survive on land for hours. It uses its pectoral fins and tail to sort of wiggle or “walk” its way across land. That means it can move between ponds or ditches and even climb over logs or low-hanging branches. Wild, right?In India, you’ll mostly find this fish in freshwater places like rivers, ponds, rice fields, and especially in the eastern and northeastern states. It goes by different local names: koi in Bengali, kawai in Assamese, and kabai in Maithili.The climbing perch is a real survivor—it does well in both still and flowing water and can tough it out in places where other fish would be toast. That makes it pretty impressive when it comes to adapting to tough environments.Oh, and people don’t just admire it for its superpowers—it’s also a popular dish in many Indian households. It’s tasty, packed with nutrients, and often sold live in markets because it can stay alive out of water for ages. Super fresh!In some areas, folks even believe that releasing a climbing perch into a water body brings good luck and keeps illnesses away. So it’s got some cultural cred too.
Want to spot one?
Your best bet is to head to rice fields and wetlands in eastern India during the monsoon. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon—that’s when they’re most likely to be on the move between puddles or chilling on wet ground.The climbing perch is basically nature showing off—a fish that can cross land and maybe even go vertical. It’s one of those quirky little creatures that remind you how weird and wonderful the natural world really is. So next time you’re out exploring the wetlands, keep an eye out. You just might spot this land-loving fish in action!