kissing gourami

Kissing gourami are one of the most famous fish of gourami family. They have gain this name because of their thick lips. They appears to be kissing when they eat food or graze algae from stones. They also kiss with each others just to show the dominance and to solve the issues. This behaviour is rarely related with spawning because 2 males are also observed kissing each other. In wild they are greenish in color but in aquarium trade pinkish one are famous. Kissing gourami is widely accepted as food in many parts of world especially in Asia. Kissing gourami are laterally compressed and can grow up to size of 10 inches under good care. They can easily live up to 5 - 6 years in captivity.
Fish Tank Set Up 

Kissing gourami demands large size aquarium since they can grow really well. Fish tank of capacity 30 gallon will satisfy the space requirement. Since kissing gourami is a labyrinth fish like Betta fighter that's why they require open surface to breathe. It must be ensured that they are able to access the air above the water. Fish tank must be heavily planted with hardy aquatic plants. Live plants will also be a source of food for them. Fake plants also will be a good option to reduce their stress. It should also have lots of hiding places because larger members like to bully smaller ones. A strong filter must be used and periodic water changes must be carried out since kissing gourami have good appetite. The tank substrate should be of larger debris and stone so that algae can grow on it. The temperature of the fish tank must be in between 22 - 27 degrees Celsius.

Feeding and Tank Mates

Tank mates for kissing gourami should be chosen wisely. Due to their large size they may harass smaller fishes especially at the time of feeding. Fishes of similar size would be ideal tank mates. If any clashes are observed between tank mates then it would be ideal to separate them. Feeding them is not a big deal for owners, they readily accept wide range of food. You can easily give them phytoplankton, tubifex, brine shrimps, lettuce leaves, blood worms and flake food.

Care : Easy
Lifespan : 5 years +
Tank Size : minimum 30 gallons
Size : 10 inches or more
Diet : omnivores
Nature : Semi - aggressive
Temperature :22 - 27 degrees
Breeding : moderate

how to reduce stress of aquarium fishes

Stress on fish is one of the major factor responsible for their short life span, breakout of various diseases resulting in death of fishes. Since fishes are in captive there is more chance of  stress as compared to wild condition. Stress decreases the immune system of fishes and they loose their natural tendency to fight against pathogens. It is observed that stress causing factors are basically created by the owner of aquarium. So it very important to decrease stress.
Reasons and ways to reduce stress:

1. The most common stress causing factor is the water quality. When quality of water becomes poor, there is more chances that your fish get stress. Water quality degrades after passing of time because of increase in ammonia level because of waste products produces by fishes and extra waste food. So do partial water change of about 40% in week and don't overfeed your fish.

2.When some one purchases a fish from aquarium dealer and transfer it. During the time fish may suffer from stress. Because fish may got scare because of outer world. So put her in plastic bag then in dark bag.

3.Add slowly plastic bag to tank so that sudden temperature change doesn't occur. Then add fish.

4.Over populated tank may result in stress so keep only required number of fishes. The number of fishes can be calculated, you can put 1 inch of 1 fish in per gallon or 4 liters of water. Example if you have 2 fishes whose size are 2 and 3 inches then you require 5 gallon aquarium.

5.Sudden change in pH or temperature of aquarium may result in stress, so use aquarium heater wisely and make sudden change in aquarium heater efficiency.

6.Lights are also major factor don't keep on lights 24 hrs a day. Try to maintain as normal as outside.

7.One of the most important way is to provide lot of hiding places in aquarium.

8.Try to provide water plants to aquarium fishes.This also helps in decreasing stress.

9.Also provide good nutrient diet rich in protein and vitamins to fishes. This also decrease stress and keep them healthy.Also provide live food to fish who are omnivorous.

10.Avoid scaring of fish by children, surrounding change and movement of water roughly.

11. Compatible tank mates, otherwise they will chase each other and increase stress.

12.Some fish likes to live in group like rosy barb etc so keep them in groups.

By following above points you can decrease stress to great extend.