Kissing Gouramis, or Helostoma temminckii, are a type of gourami that is often sought after for its beautiful colors and patterns. However, some people believe that these fish can be quite aggressive. In this post, we’ll explore the truth behind Kissing Gourami’s aggression and whether or not they make good pets.
What Is A Kissing Gourami?
Fishbase.Org defines the kissing gourami as follows: “Helostoma temminckii is an Anabantoid fish of the Osphronemidae family, popular in freshwater aquaria. It grows to about 15 cm (6 in). They originate from South Asia and are found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.”
Kissing Gourami Classification
Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Class – Actinopterygii Order – Perciformes Family – Osphronemidae Genus – Helostoma Species – temminckii Binomial Name – Helostoma temminckii
Kissing Gourami Appearance
Kissing gouramis are a type of freshwater fish and often go by the name “Honey Gourami.” They have an oblong body shape and beautifully patterned colors. Kissing gouramis can be identified by their protruding lips and eyes that look upwards. Kissing gouramis tend to be around 6 inches in length and can live up to 10 years if taken care of correctly.
Kissing Gourami Behavior
Under a comfortable environment, kissing gouramis will behave themselves and typically remain peaceful. Like other gourami fish, however, they are protective of their territory and don’t particularly care for fish that are not fish of their own species. Kissing gouramis will display aggressive behavior if another fish wanders into its territory, but this does not make them a bad pet to have in your household.
Kissing Gourami Diet
Kissing gouramis eat both meat and vegetable matter. They are omnivores, but prefer protein-heavy foods since their digestive system is not very strong. Kissing gouramis need to be fed high-quality flake food that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals in order to maintain their health and coloration.
Kissing Gourami Habitat
Kissing gouramis are native to South Asia, including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They live in slow-moving rivers that have an abundance of vegetation for them to hide in. During dry seasons, kissing gouramis will migrate downstream to find more serene waters. Kissing gouramis cannot tolerate polluted or murky waters so they do best in an environment that is as close to their natural habitat as possible.
Kissing Gourami Tank Size and Setup
Since kissing gouramis migrate downstream during dry seasons, it is important that your tank mimics this migration. The minimum tank size for a single adult kissing gourami is around 25 gallons. Since they are active swimmers, it’s best to avoid tank decorations that would prevent the kissing gourami from swimming. Kissing gouramis generally do well in water temperatures that range between 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit, but prefer warmer waters since it more closely resemble their natural habitat..
Kissing Gourami LifeSpan
Kissing gouramis can live up to 10 years if taken care of correctly, but this is dependent on the size of the tank and proper water conditions. Kissing gouramis are extremely susceptible to rapid changes in temperature and pH levels which will often result in death, so it’s important to research what kind of fish you are getting before purchasing one.
Kissing Gourami Types
There are many types of kissing gouramis that vary in color and pattern, such as the blue orchid kisser, harlequin kisser, honey, strawberry and different butterfly kissers. These fish all share similar characteristics but vary slightly in their care needs and temperament.
Although it’s possible for kissing gouramis to coexist with other types of fish, it’s best to research compatibility before purchasing your pet. Kissing gouramis tend to be more aggressive than other types of gourami fish, but this will vary depending on tank size and temperament.
Kissing Gourami Temperament
As mentioned above, kissing gouramis are aggressive and will fight if another fish tries to enter their territory. They have a very territorial nature and should be kept in a tank that is large enough for them to have room to swim around freely.
Kissing gouramis can be kept with other types of fish as long as the tank size is large enough, but make sure the other fish are not delicate swimmers. Kissing gouramis can be kept with other types of gourami as long as the tank size is large enough, but make sure the other fish are not delicate swimmers.
Last Words
Kissing gouramis are a great choice for beginner fish keepers or experienced hobbyists who have a standard setup. They’re easy to care for and the only maintenance needed is water changes once a week. Kissing gouramis can be territorial with other types of fish, so make sure you do your research before purchasing one.
If you are interested in keeping your own kissing gourami fish, check out this article on how to care for them. 4 Ways To Care For A Kissing Gourami.
Thanks for reading! I hope you found it helpful and if so, please let me know by leaving a comment below. If you have any questions, I’d love to answer them.
