Big news:
I have a baby Betta imbellus! It keeps disappearing into the weeds before I can grab a camera, so no pics. But we all saw it, so I know I'm not hallucinating.
Out of the other tank denisons: I'm down to five microrasboras. All the blues seem to have died--I think my pH was too high. I feel very bad about this, as I think they were wild-caught and I was hoping to establish a breeding group. The maculatus that remain all look robust and healthy, so I think they're in it for the long haul.
I added a bunch of amano shrimp. They don't live in Sumatra, of course. There are similar species that do, but they are impossible to procure here, so we'll say close enough. Going to try to get some more scuds soon, too.
The zipper loaches are fun. They normally stay out of sight, so seeing them is a treat. As I type this, I've seen four of the original five. They're out and about scrounging for something to eat because I was messing around in the substrate.
I am an utter failure as a rice farmer. One of my original plants is still alive. I replaced the rest with aquatic sedges I dug up on the mountain. If they don't make it long-term, I might just replace them with bamboo garden canes or something. But so far so good.