Betta -Splendens

[focus]

i have been keeping fish for some time now and havn't lost one yet so i think i no what i am doing UNTILL this.
can i keep a Betta -Splendens in a tank with guppys,clown loach,sword tails and neons.
been to a lot of LFS and getting mixed replys
some say it will think the guppys are another betta and attack it, others say it would be fine.
just thought i would get some wizdom of you guys before i pay a bit of money for this very nice looking fish

as many replys as pos please

 

[lordmoose]

Siamese fighters mistaking guppies for other bettas? Well I've never heard of it, I have a beautiful big red and blue fighter has never touched any of my guppies...should be ok IMO

 

[mickey]

bettas are generally really, really peaceful fish, except when paired with another betta. the betta will not harm the other fish. however, the other fish might harm the betta. pick at his fins and what not. so it's not recommended to place bettas with other fish. this is just a general rule, i'm not sure if the type of fish you keep would pick on the betta.
also, a betta's natural setting is in a small area. a small puddle or rice patty, or whatever. i'm not sure how happy they would be in a bigger aquarium. although, i've never tried it, so i can't really say.

 

[lordmoose]

however, the other fish might harm the betta. pick at his fins and what not. so it's not recommended to place bettas with other fish.

...it's very unlikely guppies will nip at a fighter. I have several guppies in a tank with my betta splendens, and they never touch him.