Turtle perch is a small fish of Percidae, which is a perennial, solitary, diurnal, omnivorous and carnivorous primitive freshwater fish. Adult fish and juvenile fish are free-swimming animals near the water surface, mainly feeding on small aquatic animals, including earthworms, insects, small fish, duckweed and some fresh aquatic plants. Inhabit in still, slow-moving and turbid water. When the living environment is polluted, the water quality deteriorates and stinks, and other fish can't survive and die one after another, this small fish still lives tenaciously, but it doesn't like living in polluted water. Every time after the heavy rain, the water level rises, and the fish will collectively climb ashore to find a good new environment to live in. Often rely on swinging gill cover, pectoral fin, turning over and other methods to climb over river banks and slopes, move to new waters, or lurk in mud. The gill organs of the turtle-shell perch are very developed, which can breathe air, so it can stay out of water for a long time without dying, and it can also survive for a long time in the water body with no oxygen, no water or slightly wet soil. Turtle perch has a certain tolerance to salty and fresh water, so it can be widely distributed in lowlands and near estuaries. In South China, it was flooded by heavy rain, and the turtle and perch in the lower reaches of the Pearl River can take floods to Lantau Island and the north of Liufu Mountain in western Hong Kong, and swim to various rivers and streams along the coast in extremely light sea. It is one of the few freshwater fishes in Hong Kong that can continuously replenish individuals from the mainland in the form of secondary diffusion. In the composition of fish in Hong Kong, it belongs to medium-to-surface fish, lives in low lowland shallow water and marshland, and its staple food is small animals, hidden crevices or flora. It is not sensitive to pollution, but the survival number can reflect the serious pollution of water body and can be used as an indicator species.

The tortoise shell crawler reaches maturity in about one and a half years, and its reproductive length is about 12 cm. The maximum hair length can reach more than 25 cm. Androgyny is not obvious, the male head is slightly larger and blunt, the marriage color is darker, the female head is slightly pointed and the abdomen is slightly swollen. The breeding period is from May to July in spring and summer, and it lays eggs in submerged plants and emergent plants. Large-scale mature individuals can produce about 2000 floating eggs, which has the behavior of field and parental rearing. Suitable adaptation: pH 6 ~ 9, hardness 36 ~ 447 ppm, growth water temperature 18 ~ 35℃, optimum growth water temperature 25 ~ 30℃, stop feeding when it is lower than 15℃, critical water temperature 10℃, and lethal water temperature about 5℃. Parent fish pair at 1 or nearby. Male and female: 1: 1. Identification of male and female parent fish: During the breeding season, the female fish's reproductive pores are prominent and sharp, and her abdomen is larger. Gently pressing the anus can squeeze out a little mature eggs, and the black spots on the tail are slightly diamond-shaped; Males are generally smaller, longer and not full, and the reproductive pores are sunken. The mature male gently squeezes the anus and white semen flows out, and the black spots on the tail are slightly oval. This species is not particularly popular in the aquarium trade market, but there is no doubt that fish is interesting, unique in viability and good in interaction with people.

It was first introduced to the aquarium near London Zoo at 1870, and was the first ornamental fish introduced to Europe. Occasionally sold in local aquarium shops, the price of each fish ranges from 8 pounds to 12 pounds.

1960 was first introduced to Russia.

Small fish: such as mosquito-eating fish. More 1 ~ 3 cm small feed fish can be put in the fish tank for the turtle shell to prey on itself, and it can also prevent the turtle shell from fighting because of excessive hunger.

Shrimp: contains red pigment, and the head, tail and hard shell need to be removed before feeding.

Small insects: such as moths, moles, grasshoppers, breadworms, etc. It is a favorite food of turtle shell climbing perch. Before feeding, the wings, claws, mouthparts or heads should be cut off with scissors. The moth with scaly hair needs to be shaken gently to remove the scaly hair, which is very difficult or difficult to digest for the turtle shell climbing bass. Bread form should be fed to white larvae who have just shelled, and adult crustaceans should be avoided.

Feed for aquarium: Granular feed or flake feed for carnivorous fish should be selected. Compared with the small feed fish, the turtle-shell perch is more interested in aquarium feed. If it can provide enough aquarium feed, it can even live in harmony with other small feed fish in the aquarium. Feeding inferior aquarium feed should be avoided.

Scolopendra: It is a favorite food of perch with turtle shell, and the palate teeth should be removed before feeding.

Vegetables: occasionally feed some fresh leaves, such as spinach leaves, spinach leaves, raw leaves and so on. (Note: Vegetables cannot be used as the staple food of fish, and sometimes the leaves need to be soaked in water for 1 ~ 2 days before they can be eaten).

Note: feed a variety of foods and avoid a single food; Turtle shell perch will eat all kinds of food, but some foods can't be digested well after eating. Avoid rice, noodles, pork and so on. If a large aquarium is needed, it should be mixed with fish of the same size to avoid mixing with fish that are too small and aggressive. Many people are often stabbed by its upright snout and gill cover saw blade when grasping the turtle shell with their bare hands, so this species is considered fierce and abnormal. In fact, this species is raised in a reasonable environment without being attacked. It is gentle, peaceful and even quiet. But this species will be very aggressive if it is too hungry or the foraging space is too small.