'Walking' fish headed towards Australia

It’s feared a fish capable of walking on land and choking other fish and birds could reach mainland Australia.

The climbing perch, although a freshwater fish, has lungs and can live up to six days on land.

The dangerous and aggressive perch has been going unchecked amongst the waterways of two Queensland islands in the Torres Strait.

James Cook University scientist Dr Nathan Waltham warned that the toxic fish needed to be controlled otherwise the climbing perch could reach the mainland of northern Australia.

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

Fishing boats have been transporting the climbing perch in between villages, as the fish attaches itself to the bottom of the boats.

Researchers are educating fishermen on the importance of identifying the climbing perch and throwing them away before coming to mainland Australia.