Pearl gourami brighter and is used to court the female. Males also exhibit somewhat of an orange tinge in their fins, with the exception of the caudal (tail) fin. The male also has longer fins, with a more pointed dorsal fin and extended anal fin rays. The pearl gourami is native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia (where it is found on the islands of Sumatra, and Borneo). It occurs in lowland swamps with acidic water. This fish prefers the top and middle levels of the water. A tank with a volume of 120 litres (30 gallons) or over is adequate for a
Kissing gourami muscles. However, it is not completely confirmed that it is an aggressive behavior and is rather understood as a ritualized form of aggression. "Helostoma temminkii" can become the host tosome parasitic algal species. These algae are able to survive under kissing gourami skin and look like color spots. Some hypothesis affirm that these algae communities receive some nutrients required for photosynthesis from the "H. temminkii." The individuals which have these parasites in their bodies are commonly less healthy than those which have not any algae parasites. "H. temminkii" are able to communicate between each other due to their complex inner