acanthopterygian n a teleost fish with fins that are supported by sharp inflexible rays Usage(s) The zoologists say that Anabas Scandens, a species of acanthopterygian (having-spines-in-the-fins) fishes of the family Anabantidae, is popularly known as the climbing fish . Synonym(s) spiny-finned fish Antonym(s) soft-finned_fish