Pink Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii)
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Pink Kissing Gourami
Kissing Gourami
Helostoma temminckii
284 Litres (75 US G.)
20.3-30.5cm (8-12 ")
Freshwater
6.8 - 8.5
24.4-27.8°C (76 -82 °F)
5-30 °d
1:2 M:F
8-20 years
Family
Helostomatidae
This animal is available captive bred
Contents
Additional names
- Pink Kissing Gourami, Kissers, Kissing Fish, Kissing Gourami
Additional scientific names
- Helostoma temmincki, Helostoma temminckii, Helostomi temmincki
Origin
- Asia: Thailand to Indonesia.
Sexing
- There are no external differences between the sexes.
Tank compatibility
- Generally docile but will eat small fish. Two males will be territorial towards one another and may be aggressive towards other Gourami species. Best kept with similar sized peaceful fish in a large set up, avoid keeping with territorial Cichlids however.
Diet
- Should accept flakes/pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, blackworms and tubifex also. They may graze algae or soft plants around the tank.
Feeding regime
- Feed once to three times a day, this fish can be particularly greedy.
Environment specifics
- Requires slow moving water only, avoid strong currents, but provide good filtration. Large rocks or décor should be provided and the tank should be well planted with hardy or unpalatable plants.
Behaviour
- Usually a peaceful fish, male Kissing Gourami are known to "kiss" each other using the teeth on the outside of their lips as a display of dominance. This habit is developed when the fish are young and will stay with them for the rest of their life. "Kissing" rarely kills other fish, but it may still hurt other species. If two fish are continuously "kissing", they should be separated as you will most probably have two males and this habit will not let up.
- They will generally freely swim all over the tank during the day and will rest at the bottom at night.
Identification
- Unlike most other Gourami species, Kissing Gourami do not have "feelers", or ventral fins, protruding from their chest.
- There are two sub-species of Kissing Gourami, the Pink Kissing Gourami, and the Green Kissing Gourami. Of the two, the pink variety is more common.
- Another selectively-bred morph is the "balloon" variety, their bodies are stunted and they will be more prone to internal disorders such as problems with their swimbladder.
Pictures
Green Kissing Gourami
"Balloon" Kissing Gourami
External links
- Fishbase (Mirrors:
)
