Kissing Gourami
Helostoma temminckii
Helostomatidae
About
The kissing gourami is a large, thick-lipped labyrinth fish from the slow, heavily vegetated waters of Thailand, Cambodia and the Indonesian archipelago. Almost always sold as a small youngster, it grows steadily to 25-30 cm and can live for two decades, so it is a genuine long-term commitment rather than a community novelty. Its famous 'kissing' is not affection but a test of strength between rivals, and adults can be boisterous and territorial toward similarly sized tankmates.
Care
Provide a large, long tank of at least 150 cm and around 300 litres with warm, neutral water, gentle flow and open swimming space, plus a tight lid and surface access for air-breathing. Best kept singly or, only in a very spacious tank, as a group of juveniles grown on together; expect it to graze and nibble soft plants.
Diet
Herbivore-leaning omnivore that grazes algae and biofilm and filter-feeds fine particles. Offer spirulina flakes and sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, and occasional frozen or live foods.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (234)
Avoid (37)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Dorsal fin shapeStrong · from about 4 months
In most gouramis the dorsal fin ends differently between the sexes, and it can be read from outside the glass without touching the fish.
- The ovipositorStrong · from about 4 months
A small white tube at the vent, just behind the ventral fins, visible on a mature female from below or head-on. It reads as a single white dot.
- Extended finsA hint only · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Kissing Gourami need?
- A Kissing Gourami needs an aquarium of at least 300 litres (79.3 US gallons) with a footprint at least 150 cm (59.1 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Kissing Gourami need?
- Kissing Gourami does best at 22–30 °C (71.6–86 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–20 °dGH.
- Is the Kissing Gourami suitable for beginners?
- Kissing Gourami sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.