Kissing Gourami

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malay Peninsula). Typical inhabitant of very slow river deltas, stagnant swamps and oxygen-poor blackwaters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii). Unique in the genus Helostomatidae. Compressed disc body, massive dimensions. Develops a labyrinth organ to breathe air and is famous for its prominent and thick "sucker mouth" formed by huge lips, which it uses to scrape.

Social Behavior: It never stays still and males are extremely bellicose with each other. The famous "kisses" are actually challenges of territorial strength and open-mouthed shoving to determine the dominant male; the weak one is driven away.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: In nature there is the wild dark green form with dark streaks. However, almost 100% of the fish in stores are leucistic mutations (Pale Pink or "Pink"). No apparent sexual dimorphism, apart from size for the male.

Aquarium Setup: Requires immense aquariums in adulthood (minimum 150-180 cm / 60-70 inches for a group). It has the bad habit of eating all aquatic plants (if Anubias are planted, it will devour the soft new leaves). Many rocks to define territories.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous and algae scraper (Aufwuchs). Grazes algal fuzz on rocks, but is ravenous for plant feeds: spirulina tablets, blanched spinach and frozen bloodworms. Defecates in catastrophic quantities.

Water Quality: Tolerant beyond imagination. Breathes air, so it survives the absence of aquatic oxygen and withstands chemical shocks. However, a poor filter leads to irretrievable turbidity due to its voluminous diet.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Can only cohabit in communities of gigantic fish. Will ignore large and mild fish like Clown Loaches or large Barbs, but if kept with Corydoras it will terrify them by scraping their backs by mistake (or out of malice).

Aquarium Reproduction: Unlike other Gouramis, it does NOT build bubble nests nor protect its children. It simply lays thousands of eggs (lighter than water, which float) in an embrace and then escapes leaving them to fate.

Risks and Diseases: The "cute pink fish" that destroys the tank. It is one of the most abandoned fish due to buyer ignorance: it grows out of all proportion (25 cm / 10 inches), eats all the plants in the Layout and dirties more than an Oscar.