Why do kissing gouramis kiss each other? Does this signify that I have a pair?
It seems most likely that this strange kissing ritual has actually
evolved as a way of settling disputes, without the fish having
resorting to more aggressive behaviour, rather than as a sign of
affection. It could be a trial of strength. Kissing gouramis (Helostoma temminckii
anchor their fleshy lips together, until one breaks the contact.
cannot sex these fish visually outside the breeding period - only when
the female then swells with eggs can they be distinguished. There are
two colours in existence - the natural grey form, and the more commonly-kept rose-pink domesticated variety. These do not reflect a difference