Pink Kissing Gourami 7cm

Pink Kissing Gourami
 

For the aquarists that are chasing a large, peaceful centrepiece fish, then the pink kissing gourami will be a great consideration. This is a fish that reaches around 30 cm long and looks essentially like a miniature giant gourami, they are also a very peaceful species and a great algaevore which makes them a very versatile fish. Pink kissing gourami is actually a colour variation of the normal kissing gourami which tends to be more silver and green. Pink kissing gourami is also a very personable species and will offer hours of activity and fun. 

Pink kissing gourami gets their name from the blanket pink hue that runs from head to tail. As these fish mature, their scales also start to develop a blue tint which is most centralized around the cheek plate but also leads into the body. One of the most unique things about pink kissing gourami is the elongated and almost rectangular look these fish have. The top and bottom of the body where the dorsal and ventral fins are located, is basically a straight edge which really accentuates the box look. The main behaviour of these fish is to rasp on surfaces with their large and flexible lips which make it seem like they are kissing everything. As these are tropical species, the temperature range would be best between 25 - 28 degrees and a PH of 6.5 - 7.0.

Kissing gouramis aren’t bred too regularly in the home aquarium, their relatively low price and lack of major demand do not offer much of an incentive for home breeders however this species breeds very similarly to bettas. Males will build a bubble nest under vegetation and deposit the eggs laid by the female into the bubble nest. These fish will absolutely be a fun breeding project to consider and when kept in a species-only system, spawning is bound to happen. 

Tank Recommendations for your Pink Kissing Gourami

The pink kissing gourami can easily reach around 30 cm and is a very active fish meaning the minimum aquarium volume these fish should be kept in is 300 litres. This also allows room for other tank mates whilst giving the gourami, the space that it needs. The choice of substrate is not a major concern however a thin layer of sand with the use of river stones and driftwood gives a lot of surface area for the gourami to rasp on. Pink kissing gourami can be kept with plants however especially when they are larger, fine-leafed, or softer stem plants should be avoided. Using tough plants like Vallesneria, Anubis and Java fern will be ideal. These fish are also mid to top-dwelling fish so a tight-fitting lid will be required as they can jump. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Pink kissing gourami is a very peaceful fish however they can get semi-aggressive to fish that are a similar body shape and colour. This is why they are better kept as single fish in the aquarium. It is better to also avoid very small, slow-moving species which have the risk of being eaten.

Usually compatible

Giant danio, angelfish, yoyo loaches, clown loaches, plecos, Congo tetras, and a range of another medium to larger peaceful species. 

Sometimes Compatible

Gold gourami, severum, discus, uaru, and other species which are a similar body shape to the pink kissing gourami. 

Rarely Compatible

Predatory South American cichlids and African cichlids will not be compatible with the peaceful-natured kissing gourami. Neon tetras and shrimp may also become a meal for this species when it is fully grown. 

Feeding your Pink kissing Gourami

Croaking gourami should take to foods quite easily and will be incredibly fun to feed. Feeding these fish some gel foods or larger wafers will be very fun to watch whilst also showing the natural rasping behaviour these fish have. Ensuring that they are getting a quality herbivore-based pellet would be an ideal staple which can be supplemented with occasional frozen foods twice a week or so.