Influence of Water Level on the Exit of Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus out of the Water and Specific Features of Its Movements

Abstract — The study presents the behavior and movement characteristics of climbing perch Anabas testudineus in the “dry maze” installation. Two types of behavior were identified in climbing perch when the water level in the starting tank decreases to the critical value: waiting (often in a compact group at the bottom of the starting tank) or exit to ashore (land) and moving (migration). Movements usually take place in a group of two to four individuals. The fish chose a tank with the water randomly and remained there until the end of the experiment. If individuals become to an empty tank, they, as a rule, leave it and continue to search for water. Thus, the search for a new waterbody is determining the terrestrial migration of climbing perch.