Kissing Gourami
Helostoma temminkii
Also sold as Pink kissing gourami
Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminkii) is a semi-aggressive freshwater fish that reaches about 25 cm (9.8 in) and swims in open water. It wants 72–86°F (22–30°C) and pH 6–8, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 304 L (80 gal).
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 25 cm (9.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 304 L (80 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 72–86°F (22–30°C) |
| pH | 6–8 |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
| Eats shrimp | Shrimplets only |
Before it goes in
- Kissing Gourami needs at least 304 L (80 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 90 Gallon.
- Adult shrimp are safe; shrimplets will be eaten, so a shrimp colony will not grow in the same tank.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Iridescent Shark: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 72–86°F (22–30°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp.
- It is semi-aggressive — plan the tank around it rather than adding it to a finished community.
- It eats soft-leaved plants. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' and Bacopa caroliniana will not last with it; tough-leaved Anubias nana 'Petite' and Marimo Moss Ball will.
- It grazes algae hard, which is most of the reason people buy it.
- One of them takes up roughly 20% of what a 90 Gallon will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
What tank size does it need?
At least 304 L (80 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 90 Gallon.
Will it eat shrimp?
Adults are safe, shrimplets are not. You can keep shrimp with it; you just will not get a growing colony.
What water does it want?
72–86°F (22–30°C), pH 6–8.
How long does it live?
5–7 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio and Molly.
- Plants that hold up with it: Anubias nana 'Petite', Marimo Moss Ball, Subwassertang and Anubias barteri.
Often compared with
| Kissing Gourami | Blue Gourami | Pearl Gourami | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 25 cm | 15 cm | 12 cm |
| Min tank | 304 L | 81 L | 110 L |
| Group | 1+ | 1+ | 2+ |
| Temperature | 72–86°F (22–30°C) | 75–86°F (24–30°C) | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Shrimplets only | Yes | Yes |
More livestock
Sources (4) · checked Sep 2026
- Mature tank, What it eats, Temperamentseriouslyfish.com
- What it eats, Mature tankfishlaboratory.com
- What it eatsaquadiction.world
- en.wikipedia.org