Anabantidae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of freshwater fish known for their ability to breathe atmospheric oxygen using a specialized labyrinth organ; they often inhabit slow-moving or stagnant waters; some species are kept in aquariums for their unique respiratory adaptation
2. Freshwater fishes characterized by a labyrinth organ that allows air breathing; typically found in warm, stagnant aquatic environments; includes species popular in ornamental fishkeeping due to their resilience
3. A taxonomic group of fishes possessing a unique respiratory structure enabling them to survive low-oxygen waters; commonly inhabiting tropical freshwater habitats; valued among hobbyists for their distinctive breathing mechanism and adaptability

Etymology: The family takes its name from the climbing perch, "Anabas," a fish known for hauling itself out of the water and crawling across land. The genus name is generally traced to the Greek "anabainein," meaning "to go up," a fitting label for a fish that scrambles up banks and between pools. The ending "-idae" is the standard zoological suffix for a family, built here on the genus name. The name describes a behaviour rather than an anatomy. The labyrinth organ, a folded chamber above the gills, lets these fish gulp air at the surface, which is what allows them to survive in oxygen-poor water and to move short distances out of it.

Synonyms: climbing gourami, labyrinth fish