{"product_id":"kissing-gourami-helostoma-temminckii","title":"Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eKissing Gourami – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelostoma temminckii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing Gourami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a distinctive large gourami known for its thick lips, grazing behaviour and famous “kissing” displays. Also sold as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKisser Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePink Kissing Gourami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreen Kissing Gourami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kissing Gourami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kisser Fish, Kissing Fish, Pink Kissing Gourami, Green Kissing Gourami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelostoma temminckii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder \/ Trade Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelostoma temmincki\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gourami \/ Labyrinth Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelostoma temminckii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults can reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20–30 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e300 litres for a single adult or compatible pair\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e150 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e strongly recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for long-term adult care and mixed communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuveniles 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 24–28°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.5–8.0\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Semi-Aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupplement 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKissing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43731871072330,"sku":"AG-103753","price":3.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43731871105098,"sku":"AG-103754","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43731871137866,"sku":"AG-103755","price":4.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/FlagtailedPandaCorydoras-Hoplisomaoiapoquensis_2_acadb7a6-97a1-4a72-bbab-62aaa44f0e1b.jpg?v=1782229148","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/kissing-gourami-helostoma-temminckii","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}