Kissing gourami care guide
Also called: Pink kissing gourami, Green kissing gourami, Kissing fish
The kissing gourami is a large, 8 in (20 cm) fish famous for locking lips, which is really a dominance contest. Adults need at least 75 gallons (284 L), sturdy tank mates and tough plants, so it does not belong in a small community tank.
Kissing gouramis need a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 L), and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6–8. They grow to about 20 cm (7.9 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with kissing gouramisSee all tank mates
Kissing gourami quick facts
| Scientific name | Helostoma temminckii |
|---|---|
| Family | Helostomatidae |
| Origin | Southern Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java (the pink form is captive-bred) |
| Adult size | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 gallons (284 L), at least 150 cm (59 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–18 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive; fights its own kind |
| Swims at | All levels |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 5–15 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | No, eats or uproots plants |
Tank setup
One adult needs at least 75 gallons (284 L), and a tank 5 ft (150 cm) long is better for this big, long-lived fish. Use tough plants such as Java fern, Anubias or floating plants, because soft plants get grazed away. Leave open swimming space and keep part of the surface clear so it can take air.
How many kissing gouramis in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits kissing gouramis is a 125 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Kissing gouramis (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | Too small |
| 125 gallon | Up to 10 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Keep only one per tank.
What you need for kissing gouramis
Sized for a 75 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits kissing gouramis. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 75 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 75 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 626 lb (284 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 150 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 450–750 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 100 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for kissing gouramis
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 6.0–8.0 and about 5–18 dGH. It is hardy, but a fish this size makes a lot of waste, so use strong filtration and change a good share of the water every week. Keep conditions stable and avoid overstocking.
Best tank mates for kissing gouramis
These popular species share kissing gouramis' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 42 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Oscar
30 cm (11.8 in) · 23–27°C (73–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Avoid keeping kissing gouramis with
- Cherry shrimp: Kissing gourami eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kissing gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kissing gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Kissing gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Kissing gouramis don't belong in that setup.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Feeding
It grazes algae, biofilm and fine food particles with its toothed lips and cannot handle big chunks. Offer quality flakes, small pellets and spirulina, plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Blanched lettuce, spinach or zucchini covers its need for vegetable matter.
Behavior
It is semi-aggressive. The kissing is a contest of rank, and in a small tank one strong fish can harass another until it dies, so keep one per tank unless the tank is very large. It usually ignores sturdy fish of a similar size but may bully small, timid or similarly shaped fish. Good mates include larger barbs and tetras, loaches, medium catfish and peaceful cichlids of similar size.
Breeding
Males and females look alike, though ripe females are rounder. It is rarely bred at home because it needs a very large tank. Unlike most gouramis it builds no bubble nest: the pair scatters thousands of floating eggs and gives no care. Eggs hatch in about a day, and the fry need infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Buy it only if you can house a big fish: a cute 2 in (5 cm) juvenile grows to about 8 in (20 cm).
- Avoid balloon kissing gouramis. Their bred-in body deformity leads to shorter, harder lives.
- Keep one per tank. Two often lock lips constantly, and the loser gets stressed or hurt.
- Leave some algae on the back glass and rocks as a natural snack.
- Pick tough or fast-growing plants; delicate ones will be eaten.
Frequently asked questions
Why do kissing gouramis kiss?
It is not affection. The lip-locking is a test of strength between two fish, usually to settle rank or territory. Fish that kiss all the time are stressed.
How big do kissing gouramis get?
Most reach about 8 in (20 cm) in aquariums, and the largest grow to around 12 in (30 cm). They grow slowly and can live well over a decade.
Can kissing gouramis live with small fish?
It is not ideal. Kissing gouramis cannot swallow most adult fish, but they can bully small, timid species and outcompete them for food. Choose tank mates of a similar size.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.