Anabas scandens; Print; Anabas is a genus of climbing gouramies native to southern and eastern Asia. In the wild; Anabas species grow up to 30 cm (1 ft) long. They inhabit both brackish and fresh water. Anabas species possess a labyrinth organ; a structure in the fish's head which allows it to breathe atmospheric oxygen; so it can be out of water for an extended period of time (6-8 hr); hence its name from the Greek anabainein 鈥榳alk up'; from ana- 鈥榰p' + bainein 鈥榞o'. They are carnivorous; living on a diet of water invertebrates and their larvae; and - in contrast to most of their relatives - are scatter spawners with no parental care. Species are found in South Asia; including India; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Burma; Indonesia; Malaysia; Thailand; Cambodia; and the Philippines.; 1700-1880