Kissing Gouramis originated from the Indonesia area.  They get their name from large lips which they pucker and then lock with another Kissing Gourami.  They have a long oval shaped body with a rose coloring and broad colorless dorsal and anal fins.  They do not have the long thread-like pelvic fins that are typical of other gouramis.  They grow to a much larger size than most gouramis and can grow to 12 inches in the wild.   Males and females have similar coloring.  Similar to the Betta and other anabantids, the Kissing Gourami can breathe air directly and will frequent the top of the tank. Kissing Gouarmis are a fairly aggressive gourami and will bother smaller fish.  The tank should be over 50 gallons and well planted.  They prefer thick vegetation and slow moving water.  They will eat live plants.  Kissing Gouramis should be kept in groups of 3 - 5 to reduce aggression.  They will eat flake food, algae flakes, tubifex and will benefit from occasional live brine shrimp.

Males and females are difficult to distinguish, so breeding is best achieved by starting with a group.  When they are ready to spawn, the male courts the female. After spawning the eggs float to the surface and stick to plant cover.  Several hundred fry can be expected.  Parents should be removed after spawning. The fry should be fed infusoria and then brine shrimp. 

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