Tropical Fish: Gouramis

Kissing Gourami

The kissing gourami is a peaceful species that should be housed with fishes of similar size and temperament. Males will occasionally fight by "pressing" their mouths together — hence the common name. Kissing gouramis should be housed in large aquariums (i.e., 75 gallons or more) that are densely plant with Java fern and Java moss on the sides and back of the aquarium, as well as floating plants, such as Riccia species. Artificial plants are recommended, as live plants will be regarded as food.

Decorate with bog wood and rockwork to provide sufficient area for algae to grow on, as this species will browse algae-covered surfaces as a supplement to its diet.

The kissing gourami accepts a wide range of foods, including small live foods, such as bloodworms, Tubifex worms, earthworms, glass worms and brine shrimp, as well as flake and freeze-dried foods. Supplement with vegetable matter in the form of Spirulina-based foods or parboiled vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, zucchini or peas.

Because it is difficult to differentiate between the sexes, it is best to purchase a group of six or more and let them pair up. These fish do not build nests, but they are capable of producing large spawns — up to 10,000 eggs per spawning.

The eggs will float to the surface and attach themselves to various surfaces (i.e., plant stems, leaves). Some aquarists float a lettuce leaf in the aquarium as both a site of attachment for the eggs, and a source of infusoria, which the fry will feed on as an initial food. The parents should be removed from the aquarium after spawning, and the eggs will hatch in about four days.

Source: aquarium fish magazine

Compatibility: Livebearers, Tetras, Danios, Rasboras, Rainbowfish, Barbs, Loaches, Plecos, and scavenger Catfish.

Gourami Care:

They should not be kept with large, aggressive fish, but would enjoy the company of other small, peaceful fish as well as fellow gouramis. Loud noises often scare them, so the tank should be in a quiet area.

Traditionally silvery blue in color, their colors can change significantly with their moods, as well as during spawning, when they obtain a much deeper blue hue.

Because the male can be rather aggressive during spawning, the aquarium habitat should provide ample places for the female to take refuge. Failure to do so can result in injury to the female.

Gouramis Related Articles:

Breeding Dwarf Gouramis Lowering the water level to 6-8 inches and raising the water temperature to 28-30 C will trigger spawning. Vegetation is essential, as males build their bubble nest using plant material, which it binds together with bubbles.

Pearl Gourami Accustomed to heavy vegetation in their natural habitat, they will thrive if given similar conditions in the aquarium.

Blue Gourami Blue Gouramis are one of the names given to the extremely popular Three Spot Gourami. Several subspecies exist, including the Cosby hybrid, Gold, and Silver varieties. Although traditionally silvery blue in color, their colors can change considerably with their moods, as well as during spawning, when they acquire a much deeper blue hue.

Breeding Blue Gouramis: Both sexes display a much deeper blue color during breeding periods. Because the male can be rather aggressive during spawning, the aquarium habitat should provide ample places for the female to take refuge. Failure to do so can result in injury to the female.