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Fish Database: Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Aquarium requirements

Aquarium suitability: 3/5
Sociability rating: 8/10
Area of tank: Middle, top
Aquarium water conditions: 6-8.5, vs,s,m,h
Temperature: 22 - 28C
Feeding: Flake, dried, frozen, live foods. Provide plenty of algae or vegetable based foods
Minimum tank size: 120cm
Min / Max number in tank:

Fish fact file

Family: Helostomatidae (Kissing gouramies)
Synonyms: Helostoma temmincki, H. temminkii, H. oligacanthum, H. rudolfi, H. servus, H. tambakkan
Other common names: Green Kisser, Pink Kisser
Origin: Asia; Thailand, Indonesia
Natural habitat: Slow moving waters
Size: 30cm
Behavior: Peaceful, males may occasionally fight
Breeding: Surface spawner, does not build nests but uses floating vegetation
Natural water conditions: pH 6-8, soft to medium
Sexing: Females may be rounder, difficult to sex

Fish code No.1712

Recently Viewed fish: Kissing Gourami

The kissing gourami has been a popular fish for many years, mainly due to its 'kissing' motion produced by the mouth. The kissing motion, when carried out between two fish, is actually a fighting motion where the weaker fish should give in. The kissing motion is also a method of grazing on algae from objects. Vegetable matter is an important part of the fishes diet and if natural algae is not present in sufficient amounts, the diet should be supplemented with alage based foods.
The Kissing Gourami is a relatively peaceful species and whilst males may occasionally fight, they will learn to tolerate each other with time. Many aquarists do not realise that the Kissing Gourami can reach up to 30cm in nature, and at least 20cm in aquariums. The fish will eat all but the hardiest of plants and are best kept in soft-medium water. Natural forms of the fish are a silver to gold colour, a number of bred colour forms are available including pink (pictured) and mottled varieties

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