Mate Choice and Size-Assortative Mating in the Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus (Actinopteri: Anabantidae)

Abstract: Non-random mating plays a key role in speciation and impacts the individual life history. Body size is known to be one of the most important traits on which the mate choice is based. Various patterns of body size preference are known in fish, but they have been studied in a limited number of species. Although the climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) is widespread and well known, a few reports of its spawning are published. Moreover, its breeding has only been described in captivity and in most cases it has been artificially induced with hormonal agents. This paper describes the main features of natural spawning of the climbing perch in aquarium compared to induced spawning. A positive size-assortative mating has been revealed. The mating system of Anabas has been shown to be flexible, presumably ranging from monogamy to polygamy. The results are discussed in the context of the general issue of the adequacy of fish behaviour research methods. © 2022, Allerton Press, Inc.