climbing perch

American  

noun

1. a brown labyrinth fish, Anabas testudineus, of southeastern Asia and the Malay Archipelago, having a specialized breathing apparatus that enables it to leave the water and move about on land.

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Etymology

Origin of climbing perch

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Waltham said he observed climbing perch living in very salty waterholes, equivalent to ocean water, on a trip to the two islands in December.

From The Guardian • Jun. 2, 2015

The climbing perch, or Anabas testudineus, has sharp spines on the extendable cover of its gills, which it uses to drag itself over dry land as it travels from one waterhole to another.

From The Guardian • Jun. 2, 2015

“Only with ongoing education and surveillance are we going to prevent climbing perch from arriving in northern Australia,” he said.

From The Guardian • Jun. 2, 2015

A small, dark green fish with dusky bands, the climbing perch inhabits Far Eastern estuaries and rivers.

From Time Magazine Archive

In August, 1853, a man was carried into the Pettah hospital at Colombo, having a climbing perch, which he thus attempted to hold, firmly imbedded in his throat.

From Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon by Tennent, James Emerson, Sir