Helostoma temminckii
From The Aquarium Wiki
| Pink Kissing Gourami | |
| |
| Kissing Gourami | |
| Species | Helostoma temminckii |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Min. Tank Size | 189.271 liters 189,270.589 mL 50 US Gallons (189.3L) |
| Size | 30.48 cm
8-12 " (20.3-30.5cm) |
| pH | 6.8 - 8.5 |
| Temp. | 297.594 K 24.444 °C 535.67 °R 300.928 K |
| Water Hardness |
5-30 |
| Stocking Ratio | 1:2 M:F |
| Availability | Common |
| Diet | |
| Life Span |
8-20 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Kissers, Kissing Fish, Kissing Gourami
[edit] Sexing
- There are no external differences between the sexes.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- Generally docile but will eat small fish. Two males will be territorial towards one another and may be aggressive towards other Gourami.
[edit] Diet
- Flakes, Frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, blackworms and tubifex are a favorite.
[edit] Feeding regime
- Up to three times daily. Very voracious feeder.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Requires still or slow moving water. Large rocks or decor should be provided and the tank should be well planted with hardy or unpalatable plants.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Pictures
 "Balloon" Kissing Gourami |
[edit] External links
Facts about Helostoma temminckii
| Availability | Common |
| Common name | Pink Kissing Gourami , Kissers, Kissing Fish, and Kissing Gourami |
| Diet | Omnivore + |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Helostomatidae + |
| Foods | Flake Food +, and Live Food + |
| Maximum Size | 12 in (30.48 cm) + |
| Maximum age | 20 + |
| Maximum hardness | 30 + |
| Maximum pH | 8.5 + |
| Maximum temperature | 300.928 K (27.778 °C, 82 °F, 541.67 °R) + |
| Minimum Tank Size | 50 US Gallon (189.271 liters, 189,270.589 mL) + |
| Minimum hardness | 5 + |
| Minimum pH | 6.8 + |
| Minimum temperature | 297.594 K (24.444 °C, 76 °F, 535.67 °R) + |
| Scientific name | Helostoma temminckii |
