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Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Freshwater South-east Asia Usually captive bred

Kissing gouramis are pale pink or greenish labyrinth fish known for locking fleshy lips in ritualistic territorial tests. Although sold small, they grow substantially and relentlessly rasp soft-leaved aquatic plants to bits. They need a spacious tank with hearty filtration and durable companions that can handle their hefty bulk.

Also called: Kissing gourami, Green kisser, Green kissing gourami.

20 cm adult length, drawn to scale. deep body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 20 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 300 L, at least 120 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 50 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 4 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 22 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6.5 to 8 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 5 to 20, KH 3 to 12 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Semi-aggressive Territorial: weak.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 12 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Kissing Gourami is an omnivore that swims in the middle of the tank. It eats or uproots plants, so choose hard-leaved species or none. Give it some cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.