Product Details

Kissing Gourami – Helostoma temminckii

The Kissing Gourami is a distinctive large gourami known for its thick lips, grazing behaviour and famous “kissing” displays. Also sold as the Kisser Fish, Pink Kissing Gourami, Green Kissing Gourami or Kissing Fish, this species can become much larger and more assertive than many customers expect. It is best suited to spacious tropical aquariums with robust tank mates, good filtration and plenty of swimming room.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Kissing Gourami
Other Names: Kisser Fish, Kissing Fish, Pink Kissing Gourami, Green Kissing Gourami
Scientific Name: Helostoma temminckii
Older / Trade Name: Helostoma temmincki
Fish Type: Gourami / Labyrinth Fish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Helostoma temminckii is native to Southeast Asia, where it occurs in slow-moving rivers, lakes, swamps, floodplains and heavily vegetated waters. These habitats often contain dense plant growth, submerged roots, soft margins and areas with reduced water movement.

Kissing Gouramis are labyrinth fish, meaning they can take atmospheric air from the surface. In the aquarium, they must always have clear access to the surface, with warm air above the water and no blocked surface cover. A spacious planted layout with sturdy plants, open swimming room and robust décor suits them best.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Kissing Gouramis have a deep, oval body, long dorsal and anal fins, and thick protruding lips used for grazing algae, biofilm and plant surfaces. The most common aquarium form is pale pink to peach, while the natural greenish form and mottled strains may also be seen.

Adults can reach around 20–30 cm, although aquarium size, diet and long-term care strongly affect growth. Young fish are often sold small, but they should be planned for as large, long-lived gouramis rather than small community fish.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to large tropical aquariums with strong filtration, open swimming space and carefully chosen tank mates. It can work well in robust community setups, but it is not suitable for nano tanks, small peaceful communities or aquariums containing delicate slow-moving fish.

Kissing Gouramis may graze soft plants and algae from surfaces, so delicate planted aquascapes may be damaged. Use hardy plants such as Java fern, Anubias and larger robust species, or combine planting with wood, stones and open areas.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 300 litres for a single adult or compatible pair, with a tank length of at least 150 cm strongly recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for long-term adult care and mixed communities.

Juveniles may be kept in smaller grow-on aquariums temporarily, but they should not be sold as a small-tank species. Plan for adult size from the start, as cramped conditions can lead to stress, stunting, aggression and poor long-term health.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Kissing Gouramis are adaptable but need clean, warm and stable water. Provide good filtration, regular water changes and access to the surface for air breathing. Avoid cold air above the aquarium, poor oxygenation, unstable new tanks, cramped conditions and excessive current.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi-Aggressive

Kissing Gouramis can be peaceful when young, but adults may become territorial, pushy or dominant. The “kissing” behaviour is usually a display or test of strength rather than affection. They may also chase smaller fish or intimidate shy tank mates.

Suitable tank mates include robust medium-sized barbs, larger peaceful rainbowfish, larger tetras, adult livebearers in suitable water, peaceful loaches and larger catfish that cannot be swallowed or bullied. Avoid tiny fish, delicate long-finned species, very shy fish, slow gouramis, aggressive cichlids and fin-nippers.

Feeding:

Kissing Gouramis are omnivorous grazers. In nature, they feed on algae, plant matter, zooplankton, small insects and other tiny organisms. In the aquarium, offer quality flakes, pellets, spirulina foods and vegetable-based foods as the staple diet.

Supplement with blanched vegetables such as courgette, spinach, lettuce or peas, along with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. A varied diet with plenty of plant matter helps support digestion, colour and long-term condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active, visible gourami that spends time in the middle and upper areas of the aquarium, browsing surfaces and investigating plants, wood and décor. It may use its lips to rasp algae and biofilm from surfaces.

Kissing displays can occur between individuals and may involve lip-locking, pushing and testing strength. This behaviour can be harmless in spacious aquariums but may become stressful in cramped tanks or when one fish is much weaker than the other.

Care Notes:

Kissing Gouramis should only be recommended for aquarists with enough space for adult fish. They are often sold as small juveniles, but they grow into large, powerful gouramis that need long-term planning.

Provide a secure lid, warm stable water, strong filtration and open surface access. Choose tank mates carefully and avoid delicate aquascapes, as they may graze softer plants. Monitor social behaviour as they mature, especially if keeping more than one individual.