General information – the kissing gourami get its name due to its large lips which it pucker and then

lock with another kissing gourami.  

This fish known as aggressive fish that would not hesitate attacking other fish. 

Not like other anabantids the Kissing Gourami or by its scientific name Helostoma Temminckii is a

egg scatterers and not form a bubble nest when breeding.  

Like other anabantids the kissing gourami can breathe air directly and will frequent the top of the tank. 

The kissing gourami is naturally green, but there is a pink variety available. The Helostoma temminckii

mainly found in the swamps but also in rivers.

Common Name - Kissing Gourami 

Scientific Name - Helostoma temminckii 

Family – Helostomatidae (Labyrinth fish)  

Origin - Thailand, Indonesia, Sumatra and Borneo 

Size – 20cm - 30cm (7.9 - 11.8 inches) 

First discovered - Cuvier, 1831 

Nutrition – omnivore, will accept commercial food such as flakes, pellets and frozen  food. 

Behavior – aggressive.  

Maintenance and care - 60 gallon size tank and up.

The Kissing Gourami will eat any plant matter so it can't be kept in plant aquarium.

This fish will appreciate large tank with sufficient place to swim. In order to reduce its aggressions it

should kept in schools of 4 and up. 

Water Parameters – temperature: 23C - 27C (73.4 F- 80.6 F), PH: 6-7, DGH 4.0 - 18.0 

Breeding - egg scatterers.  

Very difficult to breed because they require huge tanks, potential breeders should be conditioned

with live foods, and provided with a large tank with soft warm water.

Frequent water changes will induce spawning. When spawn, the eggs float to water surface and up to

10000 eggs can be laid in one egg  Patch, after 24-36 hours the eggs hatch and the fry will

start feeding on the infusoria as soon as their yolksac has been consumed.