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A “walking” fish that can move across dry land could make its way to Australia from Papua New Guinea and pose a threat to local birds and marine life, scientists have warned.

The climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, an invasive and aggressive freshwater species which drags itself between waterholes and can hibernate in the mud of dry creek beds for up to six months, has already made its way to islands off Australia.

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Scientists monitoring its progress believe it can survive in saltwater and is likely to head for the Australian mainland, possibly by catching a ride in a fishing boat.

The perch has tended to overpower native species in new environments. It destroys larger creatures by swelling up after being swallowed to block the predator’s throat.

The fish, which can survive up to six days without water, was discovered on two small Australian islands in late 2005, about three to four miles south of Papua New Guinea. Scientists have been working with local communities on the islands to help prevent it advancing further.

Herbert Warusam, a ranger on Saibai Island, a Torres Strait island north of Queensland, said: “We are now actively monitoring climbing perch in our wetlands and educating local fisherman to report sightings. It is important we don’t let them travel beyond our island.”