Moderate

Kissing Gourami

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Helostoma temminckii

Complete Kissing Gourami care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 50 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Kissing Gourami

Quick Answer

Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii) is a large, unique gourami from Southeast Asia. It requires a minimum 50 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 8.0 and temperature range of 22-28°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii) is a large, unique gourami from Southeast Asia. Its thick lips are used to rasp algae and also to "kiss" other fish as a territorial challenge.

Setup

A 50-gallon or larger tank (long) with open swimming space and robust plants (they may eat soft plants). Good filtration and regular water changes.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats flakes, pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (lettuce, spinach), and frozen foods. They graze constantly.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive; males may fight. Keep as a single or a mated pair. Avoid small or long-finned fish. Good with large barbs, silver dollars, and robust cichlids.

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Tank Position
Middle/Top
Water Temp
22-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 8.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Kissing Gouramis should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium, even in tanks over 100 gallons (378 liters). Kissing gouramis (Helostoma temminckii) perform 'kissing' behavior which is actually mouth-locking territorial combat between competing individuals. Two adults in any size tank fight to severe lip damage and stress. A single adult requires a minimum of 75 gallons (284 liters) with a footprint of 48x18 inches (120x45 cm). Provide floating plants and driftwood. Avoid with slow-moving or long-finned tank mates as they can be fin nippers.
What are the exact water parameters for Kissing Gouramis?
Target pH 6.5 - 8.0, General Hardness 5 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 150 - 400 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 300 - 800 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C). They can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm), requiring a large tank with robust filtration (10x turnover). Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter. Provide open swimming areas and smooth decorations. They are jumpers; use a tight-fitting lid.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Kissing Gouramis?
They are omnivorous filter-feeders and grazers, requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed spirulina flakes, algae wafers, standard pellets, and blanched spinach daily. They use their lips to scrape algae off surfaces. Supplement with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp twice weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are hardy but can carry internal parasites.
How to breed Kissing Gouramis in captivity?
Breeding is difficult and requires large tanks (100+ gallons). Condition a pair with live foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp) for 4 weeks. Simulate rainy season: Lower temperature to 75°F (24°C), perform 40% water change with cool soft water, add floating plants. They are egg-scatterers; the pair embraces and releases 5,000-10,000 eggs that float to the surface. Remove parents immediately (they eat eggs). Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 78°F (25.5°C). Fry require infusoria for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not recommended for beginners.

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