The Kissing Gourami or Helostoma temmincki get their name from the thick lips that are sometimes extended out. It is almost as if this aquarium fish is puckering up at you. Also known as the Kisser Fish, or the Pink Kisser this species of freshwater Gourami has a silvery peach body with rather large eyes. They can grow to about 12" in maximum length.The Kissing Gourami's large lips aren't just for looks, they use them for fighting as well. The males of this species will actually lock lips, almost like they are kissing, but they are pushing on one another to see which one is the weakest. Eventually, the one of the two will surrender. You can check out the Kissing Gourami kissing in the video below...
Kissing Gourami are inexpensive fish that should be placed in an freshwater aquarium of 30 gallons or more with plants, stones and hiding places. Be careful if you use live plants as this species of Gourami will eat almost anything. The one thing I really like about the this fish is that they help you clean the aquarium by grazing on the algae that tends to grows on the glass. This is very helpful and cuts down on the use of Aquarium Wipes between cleanings. The following aquarium water conditions are recommended, 72-82° F, KH 5-20, and pH 6.8-8.5. If you house these Kissing Gourami in an aquarium be certain that they can access the surface as they are surface breathers. While the this fish is kept as a pet in many places in the world, in Southeast Asia it is commercially raised and is a major food source for many people.
If you would like to breed a Kissing Gourami fish be sure to put pieces of lettuce on the surface of the water. They will use this during the spawning process, and after the fry hatch they will munch on the lettuce. After they grow bigger this fish requires a typical omnivore diet of bloodworms, tubiflex, brine shrimp, and flake foods. If you would like to purchase a Kissing Gourami just click the picture directly below...
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