Kissing Gourami (Kisser Fish) Species Profile

Origin and Distribution

The favored kissing gourami, generally referred to as a kisser, originates from the Indonesian island of Java and can be present in Borneo, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It’s generally cultivated within the southern Indochina area as a meals fish. Right this moment, nearly all specimens offered in the USA are commercially bred in Florida. Moreover, Thailand and Singapore commercially breed this species for the aquarium commerce in addition to for meals consumption.

Colours and Markings

There are three shade variations of this fish: a pink or flesh-colored kind; a silver-green kind sometimes called the “inexperienced kisser;” and a mottled or piebald selection. The pink variation doesn’t happen as regularly in nature and is the results of a discount in pigmentation referred to as leucism. This trait has been selectively bred for the aquarium commerce, because of the shade desire by homeowners.

The inexperienced specimen sports activities the naturally occurring coloration. It has a darkish bar bordering the dorsal and anal fins. Each pink and inexperienced have at occasions been described as separate species, however this isn’t the case. A mottled or piebald variation can be generally seen within the passion, nevertheless, it’s much less common than the pink selection.

A second mutation that has been selectively bred within the aquarium commerce is a fish that’s shorter and rounder, giving it a balloon-like look. This mutated pressure just isn’t as hardy because the naturally occurring varieties, and it has a shorter lifespan.

Tankmates

Kissing gouramis have been identified to be quarrelsome with some species of fish and shouldn’t be stored with smaller fish. Though they are often stored in a neighborhood tank with medium measurement fish, homeowners ought to observe them intently to make sure they don’t seem to be bullying others. Potential tankmates could embrace loaches, barbs, giant tetras, some forms of cichlids, and a few catfish.

Kissing Gourami Habitat and Care

In nature, kissers are often present in slow-moving, closely vegetated ponds or marshes. They’re a hardy fish that may tolerate a spread of water circumstances. These fish have a hidden construction referred to as the labyrinth organ. It allows them to take oxygen from the air, permitting them to outlive in waters with low oxygen ranges.

The truth is, the gills of labyrinth fish are often not even able to acquiring sufficient oxygen from the water to outlive. Due to this fact, they need to fulfill most of their oxygen necessities by gulping air on the floor of the water. For that reason, it is important to offer them with entry to the water floor in all tank zones.

Kissers want heat water, and they should eat loads of plant matter. As a habitat, use synthetic vegetation or sturdy dwell vegetation equivalent to Java fern or Java moss. Tender dwell vegetation are more likely to be eaten all the way down to the stem.

In nature, kissers develop to a measurement of a foot or extra, however in captivity, they typically stay about half that measurement. Nonetheless, even a small kisser will develop too giant for an aquarium smaller than 30 gallons, so this species shouldn’t be stored in mini-tanks. With correct care, it isn’t uncommon for these fish to dwell effectively over a decade.

Kissing Gourami Food regimen and Feeding

Kissing gouramis are omnivorous fish. On the within floor of the kisser’s apparent lips are rows of positive enamel that are used to graze on algae and vegetable matter. Periodically present contemporary romaine lettuce, cooked zucchini, or peas to maintain your kissers in optimum well being. However take care when offering contemporary greens, as uneaten parts will shortly foul the water.

They need to be supplied with loads of spirulina-based meals in addition to contemporary greens when attainable. Kissers additionally settle for quite a lot of protein meals, together with flake, frozen, freeze-dried, and small dwell meals, equivalent to tubifex and brine shrimp.

Gender Variations

Each sexes of kissing gourami look nearly equivalent, from their oval form to their thick fleshy lips. It’s nearly unattainable to find out the intercourse of those fish till they spawn. On the mating interval, the physique of the feminine turns into spherical because it fills with eggs.  

Breeding the Kissing Gourami

Potential breeders must be conditioned with dwell meals and supplied with a big tank with delicate, heat water (80 levels F). In contrast to different labyrinth fish, kissers don’t construct elaborate bubble nests, though the male could blow bubbles randomly on the floor.

Spawning begins by circling which progresses to nudging and dancing. That is adopted by an intense beating of tails. Finally, the male wraps his physique across the feminine, turning her the other way up. The feminine will launch a whole lot and even 1000’s of eggs that are fertilized by the male as they rise to the floor.

If floating vegetation or lettuce are positioned on the floor earlier than spawning, the eggs will adhere to them and the fry can feast upon the infusoria that grows on the vegetation. Take away the father or mother fish following spawning, as they could eat their very own younger.

Eggs will hatch in roughly in the future, and in one other two days, the fry might be free swimming. Feed them very positive flake meals or small dwell meals equivalent to freshly hatched brine shrimp.

Extra Pet Fish Species and Additional Analysis

If kissing gouramis attraction to you, and you have an interest in some suitable fish in your aquarium, learn up on:

• Loaches Species Profile
• Tetras Species Profile
• Barbs Species Profile

Take a look at further fish breed profiles for extra data on different freshwater fish.