Pink kissing gouramis

The popular kissing gourami, commonly called a kisser, originates from the Indonesian island of Java and is also found in Borneo, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is commonly cultivated in the southern Indochina region as a food fish. There are three colours variations of this fish: a pink or flesh-coloured form; a silver-green form often referred to as the “green kisser;” and a mottled or piebald variety. The pink variation does not occur as frequently in nature and is the result of a reduction in pigmentation known as leucism. This trait has been selectively bred for the aquarium trade, due to the colour preference by owners. Kissing gouramis have been known to be quarrelsome with some species of fish and should not be kept with smaller fish. Although they can be kept in a community tank with medium to large size fish, owners should observe them closely to ensure they are not bullying other fish. Potential tankmates may include loaches, barbs, larger tetras, a couple of types of cichlids, and some catfish. Kissing gouramis will sometimes ram the sides of other fish, stripping them of their slime coat and may potentially damage their skin. If this occurs, it is wise to separate the fish.. In nature, kissers are usually found in slow-moving, heavily vegetated ponds or marshes. They are a hardy fish that will tolerate a range of water conditions. A hidden structure in these fish is the labyrinth organ. This organ enables them to take oxygen from the air, allowing them to survive in waters with low oxygen levels. In fact, the gills of labyrinth fish are usually not capable of obtaining enough oxygen from the water to survive. Therefore, they must satisfy some of their oxygen requirement by gulping air at the surface of the water. For this reason, it’s essential to provide them with access to the water surface. Because they are fond of plant matter in their diet, use artificial plants or sturdy live plants such as Java fern or Java moss. Tender plants are likely to be eaten down to the stem.