| Remarks |
Found mostly in canals, lakes, ponds, swamps and estuaries (Ref. 41236). Occurs in medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals (Ref. 12975). Recorde from rice fields (Ref. 50862). Often found in areas with dense vegetation (Ref. 12693). Can tolerate extremely unfavorable water conditions and is associated mainly with turbid, stagnant waters (Ref. 6028). Remains buried under the mud during dry season (Ref. 1479). Feeds on macrophytic vegetation, shrimps and fish fry (Ref. 6028). Reported to undertake lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and return to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770). During the dry season, it stays in pools associated with submerged woods and shrubs (Ref. 37770). Possesses an accessory air-breathing organ (Ref. 2847). Able to survive for several days or weeks out of water if the air breathing organs can be kept moist (Ref. 1479); uses its highly mobile suboperculum and strong fins spines to pull itself over land to move between bodies of water (Ref. 76895). |