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Fish Profiles | Kissing Gourami
Fish Profiles | Kissing Gourami
The kissing gourami, also known as Helostoma temminckii, is a freshwater fish famous for its "kissing" behavior. This isn't a romantic gesture, though—it’s actually a way of asserting dominance or scraping algae off surfaces.
Native to Southeast Asia, Kissing Gourami fish are popular in aquariums due to their unique look and behavior. They can grow up to 12 inches long and are generally peaceful, though they can get territorial with their own kind.
Pink Kissing Gourami are a great addition to a large tropical, freshwater aquarium. They are community fish so go well with other similar sized fish. They grow large so be cautious with tank mates and aquarium size. When the Gourami are kissing they are normally fighting, this is between two males. The weaker will usually back down.
Features
Approx. size: 6-8cm
Maximum size: 30cm
Origin: Singapore
Scientific name: Helostoma temminckii
Family: Helostomatidae
Ideal number kept together: 3+
Avg. purchase price (2025): £8-10 each
Water conditions
Ideal pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Ideal temperature: 22 – 28 °C
Ease of care
Kissing Gourami are relatively easy to care for and have no complicated requirements as they are a hardy fish, but being a Gourami a large aquarium is recommended. They are surface breathers so will need clear access to the water surface.
Diet
Kissing Gourami will mainly eat common tropical flake or pellets, however they can have small live or frozen foods like Daphnia or Bloodworm as a treat.
Compatibility
Keep Kissing Gourami in a peaceful community aquarium with fish of similar sizes. It is always recommended to have 2 females to every 1 male of the Pink Kissing Gourami.
Breeding
It is moderately difficult to breed Kissing Gourami. They are egg layers that create bubble nests so need a slow water flow to ensure the nest is not damaged.
Life Span
Kissing Gourami can live to anything from 18-25 years in perfect aquarium conditions.
To browse our range of small pellet food for tropical fish please click here.
To browse our range of large aquariums for Gourami please click here.
Photo credit(s): Shutterstock
