The Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminkii)

Hello friendly people, Iv'e recently fallen for these little guys after seeing them at my LFS.
Has Anyone kept/bred them before? Done a bit of research but I'd like to hear some tales.
Any info, tips, stories, advice..fire away!

 

I have a couple of these guys, including a pair of the wild green variety.

They are not particularly demanding, but like algea and soft plants, so be careful of planted tanks. They eat everything from flakes to brine shrimp to frozen food. They are supposed to be slow growers, but mine seem to be growing quicker than I remember from my early fish keeping days.

They get big, so make sure they have space to grow, at least 200l is suggested.

Breeding is supposed to be difficult in aquariums, not sure if anyone on here has had success... but what makes them so special is the kissing. This is not romantic, but rather a show of dominance. These kisses are rarely damaging, and it is cute to see them battle for thier little space.

From a compatibility point of view, mine are with barbs and scissor tails, but can hold thier own against the clown loaches at feeding time. Typical, easy to keep, tropical fish, no special needs as far as water quality or pH is concerned, there is more info on their breeding habits (they do not build bubble nests like typical gouramis) online.

Definitely a cool asian oddball as far as I am concerned.

 

Thanks @richardnuss, that helps a lot. I'm well jealous of you bud! I must say the kissing action was the deal maker, even the way they feed. Can't wait to get a few.

I have a 4ft 240l with a semi planted set up that would suit them well I think. Are they happier in pairs or is 4 or 5 okay? I'm assuming its fine to have two males in one tank. Do you know how much they go for more or less?

I read they lay their eggs under surface plants like lillies, no nest and don't guard their fry at all.
Do you have any pics of yours? How long have you had them?

Cheers

 

I had mine for many years and they did not breed until one day before I had to move...... Their eggs are buoyant and bounces to the surface..... Unfortunately.... I had to remove 80% of the water for the move and could not save the eggs in the community 5ft tank..... I have now set the trio up (4 months already).... but no luck again....... but.... I am an optimist and trust it will happen again.... I have 2 females and one male in the tank. They were quite a nuisance fish when small..... chasing every other fish in the tank to suck off the mucus on their bodies.... but eventually grow out of this phase... (thank goodness)...... they are excellent centerpiece fish ...... an asset to the community tank...... Tankmates were Raepheli's.... serpaes, congo's, Orange Chromides, Bristle nose, Zebra Danios, Kribs, and Rams..... Recommended fish.... if you could tollerate their juvenile behavior for long enough.......

 

Yip, I have six in my five foot, five hundred litre tank. I must say, mine chase each other a bit, but no sucking on other fish. Then again I have them with fairly fast, small schooling fish... barring the clowns, but they are much bigger than the gouramis.

Like I said, just watch the soft leaved plants, unless you have loads of algea.

Bought my pink ones for thirty rand each, and the greens were fifty rand each, although the latter were very skinny when I finaly found them (have been looking for them for about two years).

Would be very interested to see if they breed as they get to maturity, but in their current home, their eggs have no chance.

 

Hmm, I only have 3 dwarf gourami's but kissing gourami's looks awesome

 

Ain't kissing gourami's a bit aggresive?