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Kissing Gourami

Kissing Gourami, Pink Kisser

Family: HelostomatidaeHelostoma temminkiiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Kissing Gourami is one of the most popular gouramis. Everyone who gets interested in gouramis eventually gets a Kissing Gourami because of their unusual "kissing" action!

   When the Kissing Gouramis look like they "kiss" each other, the action is thought to be some form of social testing of strength or status. The Kissing Gourami is actually named for the unusual shape of its mouth when eating or sucking debris. These fish use their lips and teeth to rasp algae from the surface of rocks or from the glass in the aquarium. The Kissing Gourami comes in two color forms, grayish-green and pink. The pink form is a mutation that is propagated in captivity and the one that is most readily available to the aquarist.

   The Kissing Gourami are quite hardy and have a great appetite. But these are relatively large fish and require as large a tank as possible. If they get overcrowded their growth can become stunted. In their native environment Kissing Gourami can get up to 30 cm (12 inches), though in the aquarium they usually reach only 12 - 15 cm (5 - 6 inches). Though they are generally considered community fish they can become bullies to smaller fish. They do best with other large companions.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Helostoma temminkii Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Helostomatidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Kissing Gourami was first described by Cuvier in 1829 and named after a Dutch doctor, Temminck. They are found in the tropical Far East; Thailand, Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula, and Cambodia where they inhabit slow waters, primarily ponds and marshes with dense vegetation. In their native countries they are used a food.

• Scientific Name: Helostoma temminkii
• Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups. If kept in a group make sure there are plenty of hiding places to keep one or more of the individuals from being bullied.
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

  The Kissing Gourami is a flat fish with a round but elongated body. The ventral fins are threadlike and extremely sensitive. This fish has a labyrinth organ, a part of the fish which allows it to absorb atmospheric oxygen directly into the bloodstream. They gulp water at the surface to insure adequate oxygen intake, so must have access to plenty of surface area.
   These fish come in two color forms, grayish-green and pink. The wild form is a gray to green color with horizontal stripes and dark fins. The other form is pinkish to orangish pink with transparent fins. The pink form is a mutation that is propagated in captivity, and is the one that is primarily available to the aquarist. It is not clear if this mutation occurs in the wild.
  The most distinctive characteristic of this fish is its mouth. The mouth has lips that are thick and fleshy with fine teeth on the inner surface. The name 'Kissing" was actually derived from the action of its mouth where it uses it lips and teeth to rasp algae from the surface of rocks or from the glass in the aquarium.

• Maximum Size: 12.0 inches (30.48 cm) - Five to six inches (12 - 15 cm) is a good length for the Kissing Gourami to reach in the aquarium. In the wild they have been known to reach up to 30 cm (12 inches).

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivores, the Kissing Gourami will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. A quality flake or pellet food makes a good base to the diet but it is important to supplement this with meaty foods. Supplementation can include white worms, blood worms, brine shrimp, or any other suitable substitute. Fresh vegetables or vegetable tablets can be offered as well.
   Kissing Gouramis are extremely hardy fish. Although the labyrinth organ allows the fish to survive in oxygen depleted water, it is a common misconception that this makes water changes unnecessary. This is hardly the case, as these fish will suffer the same tissue damage from built up toxins as any other fish. Regular water changes are a must with 25% weekly being recommended.
   They need a good size tank. While juveniles can be housed in a 15 - 20 gallon aquarium, adults will need at least 30 gallons or more. Plants are not necessary but are appreciated. Keep in mind that they are a natural part of their diet and they have been known to snack on them. Artificial plants can make a handy substitute if you experience this with your fish.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Monthly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gal (284 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C) - Keep the surrounding room temperature consistent with the water temperature to avoid causing trauma to the labyrinth organ.
• Range ph: 6.0-8.8
• Hardness Range: 5 - 35 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate - This fish will be bothered by a strong current in the tank, especially if the tank is small.
• Water Region: All - The Kissing Gouramis primarily inhabits the top and middle areas of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

      The Kissing Gourami is generally considered a good community fish when small, but they are not as peaceful as adults. They have been known to attack smaller fish. When they get older only keep them with fish their own size. Individuals will show varying degrees of aggression. Some will be very belligerent and will handle their tank mates quite roughly.
   A mix of large neutral personalities is an ideal goal for the range of tank mates. You should not include fish which will provoke this species into aggression as they are often passionate fighters. Fin nippers and gouramis should absolutely never be mixed, as the trailing pelvic fins and generally slower movement of this fish make it the perfect victim. Bullying between gouramis is a likely scenario as these fish, typical of the family, are fixated on constantly working out the details of the hierarchy. The Kissing Gourami is also a skilled hunter and extremely small fish or fish fry rarely last long.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Slow Swimmers & Eaters: (): Monitor - Gouramis can be quick at feeding time. Make sure any fish that are not so quick get fed if you are keeping them with gouramis.

Sex: Sexual differences

   There are no visible differences.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Unlike most of the labyrinth fish, the Kissing Gouramis are not bubble nest builders. Their eggs as well as the fry are lighter than water and float to the top. Once they have spawned, the eggs float to the top and are forgotten.

See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish. Most books on the subject say this fish is harder to breed than most other gouramis.

• Ease of Propagation: Moderate

Availability

   The Kissing Gourami is readily available and will cost about $3.00 - $6.00 USD.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.

• Kissing Gourami : $4.99
• Kissing Gourami : $3.69

Helostoma Temminicki Pink Kissing Gourami Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $4.99

Kissing Gourami 1.5 2.5 Length Offered By: PetCo Price: $3.69

Lastest Comments on Kissing Gourami View all 26 comments on Kissing Gourami Add Your Comment

stu - 2011-12-04 Had these for years without any problems in a tank with small tetras although the authors wrong with sexual differences females have a rounded dorsal fin males pointed Reply

Akshay Amle - 2011-08-08 I have a 4 black neon tetra, 2 angel fish, one sucker fish, 2 silver dollar and a gold fish... Can I put 2 kissing gourami along with them. Will they live with them or they will kill other tank mates... As I am new I dont have enough knowledge....please tell me can I put 2 kissing gourami with the fishes mentioned below...please tell asap?? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-08-09 How big is your tank? You have some pretty large fish in there now - based on the size of the tank - you might be over crowding and fish would be subject to stunting and possibly die. If you have a huge tank - probably OK. Think 1 gallon for each adult inch your fish are going to be. Gouramis are going to be around 6 inches so they need 12 gallons (15 gallon tank and subtract gravel and decorations). So back to how big is your tank? Then how big is a fishes mouth. Just my rule of thumb, if one fish will fit in anothers mouth - consider it food. That is just me - honest. Seems that way from all those that right in though. Reply

star east - 2011-04-09 I just recently got my 2 kissing fish and they are just as sweet as they can be. I am new at the whole aquarium thing! I don't know that much about them so I have been doing research! I am hoping the information your website has given me is going to help me out! THANK YOU Star east Reply

Andy - 2008-02-13 I had a kissing gourami for about two months, however the day that I bought the fish, it stopped kissing! I contacted the people at the local fish store that I received the fish from and they said that kissing gouramis kissing, is actually a bad thing! I do not know what to believe, but I do not believe them. This fish is now dead, and I do not know how it died. But while I had it the only problem I encountered was that it ate my plants. It was once standing 15 inches, but only standing 7 inches when i removed the fish. Click For Replies (2) kesler - 2011-02-13 The plant poisoned the fish. Remove the plants. Editor's Note - 2011-02-13 The reason the LFS said it is a bad thing is because it is a sign of aggression. The fish that are 'kissing' are trying to dominate one another either for territorial or breeding rights. In an uncomfortable or unhealthy environment, they are less likely to 'kiss'. It is unlikely that the plants killed the fish, plants will usually help increase their comfort level. Reply

Laura x - 2010-11-07 Hi I have 2 kissing gourami's in with a siamese fighting fish and 5 neon tetra's and I'm really worried about one of my kissing gourami as it keeps skitting across the top of the tank and putting its head out of the water, and then once it has done that, it floats on its side up to the top of the water stays there for about 5 mins then moves and does it again? Can you help me pleassseee? xx Click For Replies (2) Holly - 2011-01-17 Hello my name is Holly it sounds like you might have high ammonia in your tank. If it's not that then high nitrates in your water do you have a test kit for your fish? kesler - 2011-02-13 The fighting fish you have is probably bullying the kissing gourami. I would remove the siamese fighting fish and keep it separate. Reply

crystal - 2008-02-28 I have 8 kissing gouramis and they just recently had babies. I moved the baby fry to a separate tank and it's funny to see 2 of the adult gouramis hover over the area where the baby fry "were", as if looking for them. They are also scaring off all the other fish in the tank if they come close to the area the babies were. The two adults have also started kissing now that I've moved the babies. I'm not sure if this is a problem or not. I'd like to find out how long the babies need to stay separate from the other fish. Click For Replies (1) arka - 2010-10-22 Really cool. Reply

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