Land-walking climbing perch that chokes predators may make it to Australia's mainland

An aggressive fish capable of travelling on dry land and choking predators is close to reaching the Australian mainland from Papua New Guinea, researchers said on Tuesday.

Researchers are concerned for local ecosystem after the climbing perch invaded two Queensland islands in the Torres Strait, the 150 kilometer strait separating New Guinea from Australia's mainland.

The freshwater fish, which can last several days on land by using lung-like organs to breathe, can also survive in briny water.

The fish is also highly territorial, competing with native species once established in a new environment.

Its strong gill covers that help it maneuver itself during land expeditions also prove a problem for predators, said Dr Nathan Waltham of James Cook University.

"Their gill covers, they can flex them out and get caught in the throats of fish and birds, so that leads to the animal dying," Waltham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Waltham said the climbing perch needed to be managed in the Torres Strait or it would make it to the northern tip of the Australian mainland.

"We've only found them on Boigu and Saibai islands so these are the islands that are closest to Papua New Guinea," Waltham said.

"They haven't been recorded any further south but the threat is if they aren't managed ... then they actually may move through the Torres Strait and move into northern Australia."

Anecdotal evidence said the fish are carried between villages on various islands -- possibly after the fish survives a trip on the bottom of a fishing boat.

Fisheries Queensland said it had not received any reports of the fish moving further through the Torres Strait but, with no proper means to eradicate it, it was conducting an awareness campaign with Torres Strait fishers. Endi