The Kissing Gourami is a large labyrinth fish famous for its unique lip-locking behavior, requiring a spacious tank and a balanced diet.
Overview
The Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminkii) is the sole representative of the family Helostomatidae, native to Southeast Asia. In the wild, this fish inhabits slow-moving rivers, lakes, and swampy waterways of Thailand and Indonesia (the islands of Java, Borneo, and Sumatra). Adults reach a size of 15-30 cm, and their lifespan under proper care is 5-7 years.
The most recognizable trait of this species is the characteristic "kissing" behavior, where two fish press their lips together. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a display of affection — it is a way of establishing hierarchical relationships and demonstrating territorial dominance. The lips of Helostoma temminkii have a unique structure: they are lined with small horny teeth called denticles, which the fish uses to scrape algae and biofilm from various surfaces.
Like other labyrinth fish, the Kissing Gourami possesses a labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe atmospheric air. This enables it to survive in conditions with low dissolved oxygen levels.
Two color forms exist in the hobby: the wild form — greyish-green with dark lateral stripes, and the selectively bred form — pink (flesh-colored), which is far more popular and commonly available in stores.
Tank Requirements
Given the substantial size of the Kissing Gourami, the minimum tank volume is 200 liters, though a tank of 300 liters or more is preferable for a group of several individuals. The aquarium should be sufficiently long to provide ample swimming space.
Optimal water parameters:
- Temperature: 22-28°C
- pH: 6.0-8.0
- Hardness (GH): 5-20
A tight-fitting lid is recommended, as labyrinth fish periodically gulp air from the surface, and the temperature difference between the water and the air above it should not be significant. Filtration should be powerful, but flow should remain moderate — in the wild, these fish prefer calm waters.
Suitable decor includes large rocks, driftwood, and dense plantings of hardy-leaved plants. Keep in mind that Kissing Gouramis actively graze on soft plants, so delicate species will not survive in their tank. Anubias, Java fern, and other tough species work well. Floating plants will diffuse the lighting and create a more comfortable environment.
Feeding and Diet
Helostoma temminkii is an omnivorous species with a strong preference for plant-based foods. In the wild, it feeds on algae, biofilm, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and small invertebrates. Thanks to its specialized lips, the Kissing Gourami is an efficient cleaner, constantly scraping growth from rocks, glass, and decorations.
The staple diet in the aquarium should include:
- High-quality vegetable-based pellets and spirulina flakes
- Blanched vegetables: zucchini, cucumber, lettuce leaves, spinach
- Algae wafers
Animal-based supplements (2-3 times per week):
- Frozen or live bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Glassworms
Feed twice daily in small portions that the fish consume within 3-5 minutes. Keep in mind that these fish actively graze between feedings, consuming algae growth, so avoid overfeeding with staple foods.
Care and Maintenance
The Kissing Gourami is a relatively hardy fish suitable for aquarists with some experience. The care difficulty is rated as moderate (3 out of 5), primarily due to their large size and territorial behavior.
Weekly water changes of 25-30% are essential for maintaining water quality. The filter should provide effective biological and mechanical filtration. Regularly test water parameters — although Kissing Gouramis are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, they react poorly to sudden fluctuations.
This is a diurnal species, active during daylight hours. Provide adequate lighting for 10-12 hours to stimulate algae growth, which forms an important part of their diet.
Monitor the condition of aquarium plants — Kissing Gouramis can cause significant damage to soft-leaved species. Replace damaged plants with hardier varieties as needed.
Compatibility
The Kissing Gourami has a semi-aggressive temperament (3 out of 5 on the aggression scale). Territorial behavior is especially pronounced toward conspecifics and other similarly sized species. The "kisses" between individuals are a way of establishing hierarchy, which can cause stress to weaker fish.
Suitable tank mates:
- Large peaceful and semi-aggressive species of similar size
- Bala Shark — an active schooling fish that coexists well with Kissing Gouramis
- Pearl Gourami — provided there is sufficient space
- Clown Loach — a large bottom-dwelling fish occupying a different level of the aquarium
- Sailfin Pleco — a large armored catfish
Unsuitable tank mates:
- Small fish (neon tetras, small rasboras) that may be eaten or subjected to constant stress
- Fish with long, flowing fins — Kissing Gouramis may nip at them
- Other territorial labyrinth fish — for example, a Dwarf Gourami would be too small and vulnerable as a companion
It is optimal to keep Kissing Gouramis singly or as a pair in a spacious community tank. Group keeping is only feasible in very large systems (500 liters or more).
Breeding
Breeding Helostoma temminkii in aquarium conditions is a challenging undertaking (difficulty 4 out of 5). Sexual dimorphism is minimal: females ready to spawn can be distinguished by their more rounded bellies. A separate breeding tank of at least 200 liters is required.
Unlike many other labyrinth fish, the Kissing Gourami does not build a bubble nest. During spawning, the female releases eggs that float to the water surface and form a floating egg raft. A single spawning can yield several hundred eggs.
Conditions to stimulate spawning:
- Raise water temperature to 26-28°C
- Lower the water level to 15-20 cm
- Feed live foods generously for 1-2 weeks before spawning
- Soft, slightly acidic water
The incubation period is approximately 24-48 hours. After hatching, the fry become free-swimming within 2-3 days. At this point, the parents should be removed from the breeding tank, as they may consume the offspring. The fry should be fed infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii. Juveniles grow relatively quickly with regular feeding and water changes.