The kissing gourami is a beautiful freshwater fish that’s easy to care for. They’re perfect for beginner aquarists because they’re very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
Kissing gouramis get their name from their habit of “kissing” other fish in the tank. They’re not being aggressive, they just want to show their affection!
These fish are also known for being very social. They love to interact with their tank mates and will often swim in groups.
If you’re looking for a fun and low-maintenance fish, the kissing gourami is a great choice.
Table of contents
Species overview
Kissing gouramis (Helostoma temminckii) are native to Southeast Asia but have been introduced to other parts of the world, such as the United States, through the aquarium trade.
They are a hardy species that can live in a wide range of water conditions, making them a popular choice for many aquarium enthusiasts.
Kissing gouramis get their name from their habit of “kissing” other fish in the tank. This is a form of aggression and can sometimes lead to fights, so it’s important to keep an eye on them if you have other fish in the tank.
These fish are also known for their ability to “walk” on land, thanks to their specially adapted fins. This means they can escape from tanks that don’t have a lid, so make sure to keep your tank covered!
Appearance
The Kissing Gourami is a freshwater fish that’s easily recognizable thanks to their long bodies and unique lips.
The body shape of the Kissing Gourami is long, thin, and eel-like. They have a dorsal fin that starts about two-thirds of the way back on their body and extends all the way to the end of their tail.
This long dorsal fin is supported by a long ray that makes it stand up well. They also have an anal fin that’s a bit shorter than the dorsal fin. Both of these fins are transparent.
The most notable feature of the Kissing Gourami is their lips. These lips are thick and fleshy, and they’re fringed with little barbels. The barbels help the Kissing Gourami to taste and feel their way around since they have poor eyesight.
These lips are what give the Kissing Gourami their name since they appear to be “kissing” when they touch. They use this lips to find food as well as to communicate with other fish.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a kissing gourami is 5 to 8 years.
However, there are a number of factors that can impact their lifespan. For example, if they’re not given enough space to swim then their lifespan will be shorter.
Poor water quality can also shorten their lifespan.
Size
The maximum size that a kissing gourami can grow to is about 12 inches, but the average size is closer to 6-8 inches. These tall, slim fish are a bit larger than your average freshwater tropical fish.
Tank
Tank Size
The minimum tank size for a kissing gourami is 30 gallons.
Water Parameters
The kissing gourami is a freshwater fish that is native to Southeast Asia. They are found in slow moving waters with plenty of aquatic vegetation.
This fish does best in an aquarium that has similar water conditions to their natural habitat. They prefer water that is on the warmer side with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Here are a few specific water parameters to help create a healthy environment for your kissing gourami.
- Water temperature: 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.8 to 7.6
- Water hardness: 5 to 15 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 3-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to setting up an aquarium for Kissing Gouramis there are a few key things that you need to take into consideration.
The first is the size of their tank. These fish can grow to be quite large (up to 12 inches in some cases) so you need to make sure they have enough room to swim. A good rule of thumb is to give them at least 30 gallons of water for every fish.
The second thing you need to think about is the water quality. Kissing Gouramis are very sensitive to changes in water quality so you need to make sure the inside of their aquarium is as stable as possible.
We recommend using a filter that’s rated for at least twice the size of your tank. This will help ensure that the water is clean and the quality stays high.
You also need to be sure to do regular water changes (at least once a week). This will help remove any build-up of toxins and keep the water quality high.
The last thing to consider is the decoration inside their tank. Kissing Gouramis love plants, so we recommend including a good mix of live and artificial plants.
You can also add in some driftwood and rocks to help create hiding spots and places for them to explore. Just be sure to avoid anything that’s too sharp or jagged.
Common Diseases
The kissing gourami is a freshwater fish that is rather hardy and resilient. They don’t get sick often, but when they do it’s usually due to one of three things.
The most common disease that affects this species is ich. This is a parasites that can affect any freshwater fish, and it’s especially common in gouramis.
The second most common disease is columnaris. This is a bacterial infection that is usually the result of poor water quality.
The third disease that affects kissing gouramis (though it’s not as common as the other two) is hole-in-the-head disease. This is another disease that is usually the result of poor water quality.
These are all fairly common diseases that can affect any freshwater fish. The best way to prevent them is to maintain clean and stable water conditions in your tank.
Behavior & Temperament
Kissing gouramis are relatively peaceful fish. They do well in community tanks and typically won’t bother other tank mates. In fact, they often get along with fish that are much smaller than they are.
The only time you might see aggression from a kissing gourami is during spawning season. The males can become a bit territorial at this time and may chase away other fish that come too close to their nests.
Other than that, these fish are relatively calm and easy to care for. They’re a good choice for beginner aquarists.
Tank Mates
Kissing gouramis are peaceful fish that do well in community tanks. They’re not aggressive and will usually leave other fish alone.
The only time you might see aggression is when two males are vying for the attention of a female. But even then, it’s nothing to worry about. The aggression is usually just a lot of posturing and doesn’t result in any serious injuries.
When it comes to choosing tank mates, you have a lot of options. These fish are compatible with most species as long as they’re not too small. Smaller fish might get eaten by mistake since kissing gouramis are opportunistic feeders.
Here are some good options to consider:
- Tetras
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Danios
- Rainbows
- Barbs
Breeding
The kissing gourami is a beautiful freshwater fish that’s native to Southeast Asia. They get their name from their habit of “kissing” other fish!
These fish are easy to care for and make great additions to a peaceful community tank. They’re also relatively easy to breed in captivity.
The first step is to set up a breeding tank. It should be at least 30 gallons in size and well-filtered. The water should be on the soft side with a neutral pH.
Then, you’ll need to add a few hiding places. Kissing gouramis like to have a lot of plants in their tank. So, you can use live plants or fake plants. Just make sure that the plants are safe for the fry (more on that later).
When ready, add two females for every male. The males have longer fins and brighter colors.
Once the fish are in the tank, you should begin to see some “kissing” behavior. The males will chase the females and nip at their fins. This is normal behavior and nothing to worry about.
If everything goes according to plan, the females will lay their eggs on the plants. After they lay the eggs, the males will fertilize them.
Once the eggs are fertilized, the parents will usually eat them. So, it’s important to remove the adults as soon as the eggs are laid.
You can raise the fry in a separate tank. Keep the water temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and feed them live foods. Baby brine shrimp are a good option.
As they grow, you can slowly introduce them to flake food. When they’re big enough, you can add them to your main tank.
Conclusion
The Kissing Gourami is a beautiful and unique freshwater fish that is native to Southeast Asia.
They get their name from their habit of kissing other fish in the tank as a way of showing affection or dominance.
Despite their reputation, Kissing Gouramis are actually very peaceful fish and make great additions to community tanks.
They’re also relatively easy to care for, which makes them a good choice for beginner fishkeepers.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and unique fish to add to your tank, the Kissing Gourami is a great option!
