Anabas testudineus

binomial name applied to what are actually several different species. With further study, populations of this fish may be divided up into separate species and given new names.^[1]

pectoral fins. It is believed that the fish may be invading new territories by slipping aboard fishing boats. The fish has been established in some islands east of the Wallace Line, in eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and is also believed to be advancing toward Northern Australia. In late 2005, the fish was discovered on Saibai Island and another small Australian island in the Torres Strait north of Queensland, about three to four miles south of Papua New Guinea.^[4]

food fish in certain regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia, where its ability to survive out of the water for extended periods of time, provided it is kept moist, improves its marketability.^[2]

food. In the beliefs of Thais, it is believed that if this species of fish is released it will help ward off disease. Because its common name in Thai is pla mo (ปลาหมอ, pronounced [plāː mɔ̌ː]), literally translated as "physician fish".^[5]