Fish Anabas: description, features and benefits for humans

Anabas or a fish-slider is known to many naturalists because of its amazing ability to climb trees. Such skills are very rare among the inhabitants of the water kingdom, and therefore it is not surprising that this creature has long attracted the attention of researchers. And as it turned out, not in vain, because in the arsenal of the fish-slider there are many amazing techniques.

Areas and habitats

Scientists distinguish two species of this fish: ordinary and giant. The first inhabit the waters of South-East Asia, and the second prefers the hot lands of India. Thus, fish anabas occurs on the territory of China, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and also on some islands of Indonesia.

The fish-slider likes to settle in small ponds, rivers, lakes, and sometimes even in rice fields. Such preferences are due to the fact that the anabas is not at all afraid of the drought or the drying out of the reservoir. He can easily survive them, and if necessary, find a new home. It is this ability of the water inhabitant that most excites the mind of researchers.

What Anabas Looks Like

Anabas fish, the description of which we offer to your attention, has a muscular, elongated body. On average, the usual anabas grows up to 20-25 cm, and the giant one up to 25-30 cm. These two subspecies are very similar to each other, except for a lot of dark spots that cover the entire body of a conventional anabas.

It is noteworthy that this fish has acquired a satisfied large scales capable of withstanding strong mechanical damages. This is necessary in order to protect it during long trips, which it often makes from one reservoir to another. The fins in her are also very strong and covered with fine scales, which allows using them as small legs. Without it, anabas fish simply could not move overland.

Males differ from females by a larger head. At the same time, the mouth of representatives of both sexes seems prohibitively large. Such an illusion arises from the fact that it is edged by a black band that goes straight to the gill cover. As for the color of the fish itself, it prefers to "wear" beige tones. Against this background, orange eyes are prominent, slightly protruding outward.

Why does anabas fish climb a tree?

Probably the most surprising thing about this fish is that it can climb trees. This is evidenced by many photos made by scientists and simple amateurs. This behavior for a long time drove the naturalists into a dead end, forcing them to puzzle over why she needed it.

But the truth was content with the banal - the fish-slider simply looked for a new home, among the coolness of the leaves. After feeling the moisture, it starts to move towards it, and it does not matter whether it is on the right, on the left or on the top. As to how the fish of the anabas falls on a tree, here things are much more interesting.

It turns out that this aquatic creature on the gill plates has small spines. They help the fish "stick" to any surface, like a climber using an ice ax. Equally important in this process are the fins, which, due to their rigidity, serve as an excellent source of propulsion.

Extraordinary ability to survive

Fish anabas is perfectly adapted to the climate that prevails in its homeland. Therefore, it is always ready for the fact that its reservoir can completely dry out during a drought season, depriving it of a house. In this case, she can use her survival skills, honed by many millennia of evolution.

For example, if the reservoir dries up rather slowly, then the anabas buries deep in the mud, in the hope that the water will soon return. Here he creates a durable cocoon, which is capable of restraining moisture for a long time, inside a small fish house. However, if the water goes off too quickly, and the inner flair of the Anabas says it's time to change the pond, then he readily goes in search.

At the same time, the fish-slider moves with ease not only on wet surfaces, but also on dry soil or sand. In particular, it can overcome more than 500 meters of the path, absolutely not touching the water. Such a miracle is possible due to the fact that the anabas has such an amazing body as a labyrinth. It is located next to the gills of the slider and allows it to breathe simple air, about 6-8 hours.

Anabas and man

The inhabitants of Asia have long valued the fish-slider because of its delicious meat. Therefore it is not surprising that today many restaurants and cafes use the named delicacy in their dishes. In addition, the fact that the fish is able to live without water for a long time makes it easier to transport it to its destination.

This benefit has led to the fact that today anabas is bred in many parts of the world. And all would be nothing, if not for the fantastic survival of this creature. Acclimatized in new regions, he began to rapidly increase his population, thereby inhibiting other species of fish.

In addition, some naturalists set up the Anabas as a pet. True, the aggressive nature of such a pet greatly limits the list of neighbors who are able to get along with it in one aquarium.