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I'm planning on getting a fair-sized tank soon (75 gallon). Tankmates would be some rainbowfish and tetras.

I have a male betta, and he's in a very small betta kit right now. I know he'd like more space.

I find some species of gourami stunning, and would like to add some when I get the tank. I was told by the LFS that if you just have one male and one female of the same species of gouramis together, it lessens the aggression a lot.

Do betta tend to... well... fight with gouramis, or vice-versa? I'd be getting a couple of Moonlight Gouramis (which apparantly can get to about 6 inches).

How about if I added a couple of Paradise Fish?

What can be done, if anything, to get rid of or lessen this problem?

It's useful that I'm asking this while I'm just in the tank's planning stages...

No paradise please, the flaring of gills and fins might just make the betta mistaken it with one of its own, and vice versa. Now for the gouramis, the moonlight is a peaceful gourami, and might not fight with each other. You can keep several females together, and with a tank that big, a few males wouldnt be a problem. The betta will most likely not bother them, although if he does, give him some more territory and see how he does from there. If you really want paradise fish, make sure that there is no great compettition, or any other of its kind. The Betta and the Paradise are SOOOOOOO similar in behaivour, that you might think that they would be related. Both flare up, both kill each other, both are non-tolerant of their species, and both are kinda thick skulled, because they will flare and chase their own reflection to the point of exhaustion! You were lucky to have joined BEFORE you got your tank........Many of us were too late!

Oh, and BTW, ¤Welcome to FishProfiles.com!¤

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Paradise fish will most definitely fight. They are pretty close to bettas in agression and should not be kept with other labyrinth fish (gouramis, bettas, paradise). Male bettas are likely to fight with gouramis. Moonlights might be ok since they are probably not going to challenge the betta but it's hit or miss. Might be worth trying but not without a backup plan in case. Female bettas are more likely to get along and I currently have 1 in with a 3 spot gourami but there's still a chance it won't work. Again have a backup plan in case they have to be seperated.

To lessen problems between territorial or agressive fish decorate heavily. Lots of plants, driftwood, rocks, or any other decorations fake or real that you want to add. The more barriers the easier it is for them to avoid each other.

My bettas never fight with my dwarf gouramis or gold gouramis so you should be safe.no paridise fish though

Yup. I'm that crazy Twilight/animal/music girl

It seems to really depend on the individual personalities. Many people sucessfully keep female bettas together; I always had bad luck. I had a 20 long with sparkling gouramis, a pair of honey gouramis and a Betta coccina and never had any problems. A 75g is quite large...if you wanted to try I'd have a lot of floating plants and a backup in case it doesn't work out.

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I had luck with 3 female bettas in my 55g. and should have no problem as long as you give them plenty of places to run and hide if needed

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction