Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

4.2.21 Helostoma temmincki

Family: Anabantidae

Genus Helostoma

English name: Kissing Gourami

Origin: Thailand, Malays

Size: Maximum 30 cm in the wild but remains considerably smaller in captivity

Habitat: Found in many different kinds of waters.

Shape, coloring and markings:

The body is deep and oval. The head is somewhat pointed: the lips are thick and protuberant. The basic coloration varies from a yellowish to greenish silver: the upper half of the body is darker, or an olive green: the belly is almost white. A number of dark, horizontal stripes usually lie on the flanks. The fins are a greenish or dull yellow: the dorsal and anal fins have a dark edge. When in good condition H.temmincki displays a pattern of dark crescent shaped bands at the back of the dorsal and anal fins, and on the base of the caudal fin. The eyes are yellowish brown. Some specimens offered for sale commercially are almost entirely silvery or flesh colored.

There are no known external sexual characteristics.