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imbellis, coccina, and smaragdina in a 5 gal tank without any problems? & if I can where could I find these in sydney? & how many could I put in a 5 gal, 1 of each maybe?

I am not an expert on the wild betta species. I believe that some of them can be kept in pairs..m/f...but I wouldn't mix different species together. There is always the possibility of two different species breeding together. In smaller tanks, I think that less is more.

Imbellis and smaragdina can hybridize according to some Thai article I was reading so that is a definite no-no as far as I'm concerned. If you kept more than one male of either species in a tank that small there is a good chance they would fight as well, so they are out.

As far as territorial nature goes in betta types, imbellis are a bit nastier than smaragdina with coccina at the bottom if you decided to keep them all together. because they look so similar, I would be very surprised if the imbellis didn't decide to take a chunk out of the smaragdina. :%)

Betta coccina are more delicate (they are a bit wimpy as far as bettas go imo but I still love them ), and they need more specialized care regarding water parameters. They come from small, cool forest pools with very low pH due to rotting vegetation in Indonesia. I wouldn't keep them with other betta species because of water parameter differences alone. They are heavy sleepers like other bettas (could easily be attacked in their sleep ) and very skittish.

Mine were spooked today by a curious panda cory, and if you have ever kept pandas you'll know that they are easily one of the most peaceful aquarium fish out there. They are incredibly peaceful for bettas, and spend most of their time hiding in your aquarium plants. VERY unlike the bruisers that other betta species have been known to be. I have a feeling they would be attacked and killed fairly quickly in a mixed environment of other betta species.

All of these species are very pretty. Might I suggest three separate tanks to house them all in? ] /:'