Habitat

The fish lives in freshwater area with a pH range of 4-8 and a temperature of 240C-340C, such as swamps, lakes, ditches, rice fields, and rivers to brackish waters. This fish is able to survive with low oxygen levels because it has a breathing apparatus.

Distribution

This fish naturally (natively) exists on the Andaman islands, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam. It is an introduction fish in the Philippines, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. The distribution areas in Indonesia are in Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Papua and Java.

Food

The fish preys on various insects and small aquatic animals.

Reproduction

This fish can spawn throughout the year with peak spawning period occurs in the rainy season, with a fecundity of 4,500-35,000 eggs.