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Freshwater   Fishes

Kissing fish
(Helostoma temminckii)

Kissing fish

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

  • None (for the moment!)

Names

Scientific name
Helostoma temminckii
Trichogaster temminckii
Helostomi temmincki
Helostoma temmincki
Helostoma oligacanthum
Helostoma rudolfi
Helostoma servus
Helostoma tambakkan

Common name
Kissing fish
Kissing gourami
Kissers
Green kisser

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Sumatra, Java)
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

Visible only as an adult. Females are slightly rounder than males.

Group

Group

Gobiidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

Specific: 600 L / 132 Imp Gal / 158 US Gal
Community: 800 L / 176 Imp Gal / 211 US Gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 25 to 28°C or 77 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7
Hardness: 5 to 15 °dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

20cm (7.9")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

10 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and top

Individuals

sociability of the species

6

Food

How to feed the Kissing fish?

Food

How to feed the Kissing fish?

This gourami is an omnivorous fish with herbivorous tendencies. Interestingly, it particularly likes seaweed, even if it does not scrape the decoration to eat it (it is physically not adapted for that). Vary its menus as much as possible to ensure good health. He has a big appetite and seems elusive!

For the meat part, distribute rotifers, aselles or artemia. For the vegetable part, offer fresh vegetables such as lettuce or poached spinach.

Finally, classic dry foods of good quality will complete the diet (for example, spirulina).

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Kissing fish have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Kissing fish have?

This fish has a rather lively and active temperament. However, it remains peaceful, sociable and non-territorial.

Gregarious, it needs the presence of at least 5 of its congeners (which makes a group of 6 specimens) to develop a natural behaviour in captivity. There is a peak of activity in the evening and at night.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Kissing fish?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Kissing fish?

There are no restrictions on cohabitation, as long as sufficient living space is provided for these large gregarious fish. They will associate with all fish that are not too small (beware of the risks of predation, although limited in this case) and that their sometimes intense activity will not disturb.

It should be pointed out that some individuals can show extremely aggressive behaviour, going so far as to kill all their roommates quickly. This remains a rather rare special case.

They may also accompany large gouramis such as the Snakeskin Gourami (Trichogaster Pectoralis) or the Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus).

Breeding

How to breed the Kissing fish?

Breeding

How to breed the Kissing fish?

Quite difficult, the reproduction of this species among amateur aquarists is rarely achieved.

Unlike many gourami, the kissing male does not build a nest of bubbles.

In order to guarantee the survival of the fry, plan an aquarium especially dedicated to breeding. The volume will be at least 200 litres. Equip it in the classic way and install floating plants on the surface (Ceratopteris for example). The temperature should be around 25°C (77°F) and the pH at 7.

Isolate a couple that has already laid eggs in the main aquarium in this aquarium. Spawning takes place in open water and is a bit turbulent. After its events, the eggs are released and rise to the surface. They will then strand on the surface plants. You can also retrieve the eggs after spawning in the main tank and place them in the rearing aquarium.

The brood can contain up to 5000 eggs! Incubation usually takes 24 to 48 hours.

Feeding the fry: initially, the fry will consume their yolk sac for 5 days. Then move on to artemia infusers and nauplias.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Kissing fish?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Kissing fish?

Plan a large aquarium because this fish measures up to 20cm (7.9") in aquarium and loves large swimming areas! Start with at least 600 L / 132 Imp Gal / 158 US Gal for a species-specific aquarium, and 800 L / 186 Imp Gal / 211 US Gal for a community aquarium.

In the wild, the Kissing Gourami lives in ponds and slow-moving rivers. In an aquarium, reproduce this by installing a very gentle current, or even none at all in its living area (middle and top). To limit the current, you can, for example, "break" the filter discharge by directing the rod towards a wall of the aquarium. Be careful, however, because this fish is a big polluter. Filtration must still ensure that the water quality is maintained. It will therefore be necessary to find a balance between a sufficient flow to clean the water and a current that is not too strong.

Abundant vegetation will be appreciated. However, this fish likes to swim unhindered. Provide large swimming areas that are free of any scenery so that it can exercise. To do this, plant your plants on the bottom and sides of your aquarium instead. Dim the lighting with many floating plants that will keep your fish safe. Finally, choose sturdy plants because this gourami will not resist nibbling on the tender leaves.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Their name "kissing gourami" comes from their youthful behaviour. Indeed, young fish (often males) stick together mouth to mouth. Far from being a sign of affection, this behaviour would rather appear during parades, or even ritual confrontations (let us note that this remains a theory). The goal is to evaluate the strength of the opponent and to establish a stable hierarchy in the group. Adult fish often lose this habit.

Globally robust and adaptable, this species can be adopted by beginner aquarists.

In the wild, the Kissing Gourami lives in stagnant water, therefore very calm waters with little oxygen. In order to survive in these conditions, it has developed an additional breathing organ: the Labyrinth. This organ allows him to breathe the air on the surface when necessary.

Its coloration varies according to their origin. In the wild, this fish is grey. The selected forms encountered in aquariums are light pink (xanthochromic form) in most cases but it can also be green (Thailand) or cream (Java).

In its natural environment, it can reach 30cm (11.8")! (and even 56 cm according to Smith, 1945). In aquariums, it rarely reaches this size, even in large aquariums. Moreover, its natural colour is more grey than pink.

Did you know that some people around the world appreciate it for its tasty flesh?

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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