The Kissing Gourami Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

A fish that looks like love, so sweet,
But don't be fooled by gentle meet.
These gouramis, with lips so wide,
Are not for peaceful tanks to hide.

When small, they're cute, a curious sight,
But grow they will, with all their might.
A foot or more, they'll take up space,
And claim their spots with a forceful pace.

They chase and shove, they push and fight,
To show who's boss, both day and night.
The slow and finned, they bear the brunt,
Of this tough fish, in watery stunt.

That 'kiss' you see, it's not a sign,
Of love between these fish divine.
It's mouth on mouth, a push and hold,
A test of strength, brave and bold.

Both boys and girls, they play this game,
To rule their world, to speak their name.
With tiny teeth, like little grates,
They test their might, through watery gates.

It stresses them, this push and strain,
Though scars are few, it causes pain.
And not just kin, they cause a stir,
To other fish, a nagging burr.

They ram and suck with rasping lip,
A dangerous game, a slippery slip.
Their slime coat gone, a fragile shield,
Disease can strike, a wound revealed.