Thinking About Betta Community Tank

So currently I have a very docile male Betta fish and a dwarf catfish in a five gallon tank. I was very nervous when I put them together and was sure the Betta would kill the catfish once he noticed him, but he didn't. He noticed him for the first time about three days after I got them and touched him with his nose once, but lost interest and has left him alone since. They typically spend their time next to each other on the same side of the tank and are fine. I've seen people who have successfully kept multiple Betta fish (males and females) in the same tank with no problems. They typically have a very large tank (40-55 gallons) and have more females than males. I was wondering if anyone has had success (or failure) with keeping Bettas together in a large, heavily planted tank, and wanted to know if anyone thinks this is a possibility with especially docile personalities? I currently don't have room for such a large tank anyway, but I'd just like to do research in case I get the room and time. I know Betta splendens are bred to fight, but Betta imbelles seem like they might be a better option for a community tank as they are less commonly bred for fighting and are more wild.

 

Imbellis are much more docile then splendens. It can be done with splendens but I have seen way more failures then successes. I currently have 3 males and 15 female splendens in a 55 gallon. They were all babies to start and the tank looks like a jungle. Its a tank I would never of done on purpose (they were supposed to be all female) and I'm finding they limit you so much on stocking other fish. I have cories and glowlight tetras with them that have worked out. They detailed my swordtails in a few days.

 

Rtessy would be more familiar with Imbellis.

 

Imbellis are much more docile then splendens. It can be done with splendens but I have seen way more failures then successes. I currently have 3 males and 15 female splendens in a 55 gallon. They were all babies to start and the tank looks like a jungle. Its a tank I would never of done on purpose (they were supposed to be all female) and I'm finding they limit you so much on stocking other fish. I have cories and glowlight tetras with them that have worked out. They detailed my swordtails in a few days.

Thank you for the info. Everything I've read says that imbellis are much better in community tanks. I think it's interesting that yours have worked out, but I suppose it might be easier for them to get along if they grow up together? I feel like introducing them at different times would be a disaster more often than not. I probably won't ever try it, but it certainly is interesting when it does work out.

 

Mine have been added at different times as well as some taken out but they were added as babies.

 

I've got imbellis and I love them, super great fish.
I haven't had them in a community setting, but I've had over 20 in a 20 long, and currently have 2 males and 2 females in a 10 gallon, and they just won't stop spawning, lol, though it is close quarters there.
They will bite the antennae off snails, and eat small snails. Wouldn't recommend with shrimp either, haven't tried them with other fish, but since the males just flare at each other to fight, they'll probably be fine.