The scientific name of the kissing gourami is Trichogaster trichopterus. It belongs to the suborder Anabantoidei, family Osphronemidae, and genus Trichogaster. It is called the kissing gourami because during fights, their mouths stick tightly together, resembling a kiss. Kissing gouramis prefer to inhabit tropical rivers and are usually found in ponds or swamps with abundant aquatic vegetation. In their native habitat, they are often consumed as food. They are not very demanding in terms of water quality, and their gregarious nature is not very evident. They swim slowly and are generally docile and lively. Kissing gouramis have a varied diet and often keep their mouths open for extended periods to "sip" small water fleas. When kept in captivity, they also enjoy sucking on the walls of the feeding container and the algae on water plants using their thick lips. They have an elongated oval body shape and can grow up to 20-30 centimeters in length. They have a large head, prominent eyes, thick lips, and a yellow ring around the eyes. Their dorsal and anal fins are long and reach the base of the caudal peduncle, and they have a interrupted lateral line. Their pectoral and ventral fins are fan-shaped, and their caudal fin is triangular. The fish in aquariums generally have a milky white or pale pink color. Some kissing gouramis are silver gray or blue-green, while others are white. All their fins are transparent and slightly silver in color. In the wild, their bodies range from gray to green, with black stripes at the base of the caudal fin.
The Kissing Gourami is native to Cambodia, Indonesia (Borneo, Papua - introduced, Sumatra), Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia (Malay Peninsula, Sarawak), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is now widely distributed in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula.
1. Ichthyophthiriasis
When fish are infected, they will show white spots all over their body. The disease progresses, causing muscle rot and loss of appetite, eventually leading to death. This disease can occur at any time of the year.
Treatment methods: A. Soak the infected fish in a 3% saltwater solution for 5-10 minutes once a day. B. Soak the infected fish in a solution of 2 ppm potassium permanganate and 5% saltwater for 20-30 minutes once a day. C. Wash the infected fish with a solution of 1-2 ppm malachite green for 20-30 minutes twice a day. D. Soak the infected fish in a 5 ppm furazolidone solution until it recovers.
2. Pinecone Disease
The scales of the infected fish will stick out like pinecones.
Treatment methods: A. Bathe the infected fish in a solution of 1/100,000 unit of tetracycline once a day for one hour. B. Mix a solution of 2% sodium chloride and 3% sodium bicarbonate, and bathe the fish twice a day for 10 minutes each time. C. Add 0.5 grams of chloramphenicol per 40 kilograms of water and bathe the fish in it.
3. Fluke Disease
After infection, the fish will swim rapidly in the fish tank.
Treatment methods: Put the infected fish into a formalin solution. Add ICC formalin to 4 kilograms of water. After soaking the fish for 1 to 2 seconds, immediately remove it and put it back in the original fish tank. Do this twice a day for 2 to 3 days to cure the disease.
4. Cold
The fish become lethargic, float on the water surface, and their skin and fins lose their luster.
Treatment methods: Maintain a constant water temperature, soak the infected fish in a solution of baking soda or 1% saltwater to increase the light exposure and gradually restore their health.
5. Fish Lice Disease
The fish's skin becomes inflamed and ulcerated. When parasites attach to the fish's body, the fish will rub against the glass.
Treatment methods: Put the infected fish in 1.0-1.5% saltwater. After 2 to 3 days, the parasites will be removed.
6. Ichthyophthiriasis
In the early stage, there are small white spots on the fins and body of the fish, but their appetite and spirits remain normal. In the middle stage, white spots appear everywhere, the fish lose their appetite, become inactive, scratch themselves, and their color becomes darker. In the late stage, white spots cover the entire body, the fish float on the water surface or sink to the bottom of the tank. The fish become weak, sway from side to side, have increased mucous membranes on the body, difficulty breathing, and die from suffocation.
Treatment: This disease requires comprehensive treatment. Medication alone is not very effective, so it is important to strengthen feeding management. Stop feeding for 4-5 days to reduce pollution. At the same time, maintain a constant water temperature, and it is best to raise the temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius higher than the original water temperature. Medication can be applied if there are no water plants, as water plants quickly wither when exposed to various drugs.
7. Black Spot Disease
The fish develop "black spot" on their body, which is gray-white in color. Hyphae are entangled and adhere to the cells of the wound, causing tissue necrosis. Infected fish also have decreased appetite and eventually die.
Treatment: In the aquarium where new fish are kept, salt can be added in small amounts to inhibit the occurrence of Ichthyosporidium. When adding live feed, attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfection. Keep the water clean to isolate the growth of Ichthyosporidium. Generally, this disease can be prevented.
Pet Encyclopedia
