What Is a Kissing Gourami?
A kissing gourami is a type of freshwater fish from the Helostomatidae family that is often seen in aquariums and fished commercially for food. It is a monotypic labyrinth fish, meaning it can breath air,. It is usually found in the waters of Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia. It prefers shallow, slow moving waters that are filled with thick areas of vegetation. Gouramis are omnivores and will eat plankton, algae and insects in the wild. The kissing gourami is a flat, round fish that usually grows to about 12 inches (30 cm) in the wild. In an aquarium the fish will usually only reach about half that length. The coloration of the fish is typically pink or greenish-gray and they are most notable for their unique mouths. Unlike many other fish, the kissing fish has lips, which are lined with fine rows of teeth. When encountering other fish the gourmai will “kiss” them, locking lips in a sparring fashion. They also tend to “kiss” other objects and animals around them, including pl
