Anabas testudineus,commonly known as climbing perch is called IKAN PUYU in Malaysia.IKAN PUYU is a common tropical fresh and brackish water fish of Asia and the Far East. IKAN PUYU is a very hardy and special fish. During the drought period it has the ability to aestivate (hibernate) in the mud and emerge during the favourable period.

IKAN PUYU is a traditonal food source and protein provider in Asian countries. It is highly esteemed for its fine flavor and prolonged freshness out of water. IKAN PUYU posesses an accessory air-breathing organ called labarynth organ above the gill enabling it to survive for several days or weeks out of water provided breathing organs can be kept moist.

It is also believed to have medicinal properties such as disease prevention, increasing male libido and slowing down the ageing process for females.

IKAN PUYU is not only for food but can be kept as pets. Even though physically it is not as attractive as gold fish, discus, Arowana, koi and Lohan IKAN PUYU can be easily reared without commonly used equipment such as air pumps and filters.IKAN PUYU has also been socially engrained in our society. Many literatue, metaphors and songs have connotations of IKAN PUYU in them.

IKAN PUYU has been proven to be an effective biological agent for controlling breeding of aedes mosquitoes in stagnant drains.