Pink Kissing Gourami

Pink Kissing Gourami

Description of the Pink Kissing Gourami
The Pink Kissing Gourami is also commonly known as the Kissing Fish or simply Kisser. They are a very popular freshwater tropical aquarium fish famous for their 'Kissing' lips. They use their protruding lips to suck algae from rocks. Males also 'lock' lips together when challenging each other to become dominant.

Profile of the Pink Kissing Gourami
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Pink Kissing Gourami species.

• Size: Up to 30cm

• Fish Tank conditions: PH 6.8 to 8.5. Temp 22 to 28 Degrees

• Diet / Feeding: Dried, Flaked or Frozen Food

• Temperament: Not recommended as a good community fish

• Habitat: Slow Moving, Shallow Waters, South East Asia

• Behaviour: Can be territorial to smaller fish

• Range: South East Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia

Scientific Classification of the Pink Kissing Gourami
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Helostoma temminckii

• Popular Name: Pink Kissing Gourami

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Anabantoidei 

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Pink Kissing Gourami?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Pink Kissing Gourami slimy?
Pink Kissing Gourami secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Pink Kissing Gourami to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Pink Kissing Gourami have gills?
Gills enable the Pink Kissing Gourami to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Pink Kissing Gourami have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Pink Kissing Gourami has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Pink Kissing Gourami has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Pink Kissing Gourami has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Pink Kissing Gourami has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Pink Kissing Gourami