I had a thread that posed this question, except I do want to keep such a tank. Ioraxchick was most helpful in her contributions to the thread. Have a read. http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/374930-three-males-one-tank/page__p__3137721#entry3137721
After more consideration, I intend to have a 4x2x2 with two males and 2 females, or along those lines, moderately planted, with some green neons. Tannins, surely.
Ideally, I would love to have a 6x3x3 with 4-5 males and 6 or so females, with a school of small fish. Planted, of course. (And another 6x3x3 or something for a school of wild discus, drools.) But that wouldn't be for another ten years when I have my own house
I strongly believe we should keep as close to a natural tank as possible, ie a ton of space, lots of live plants, great water/environment for all. I think it's quite silly to think fish are sadistic, unthinking murderers by nature and will do anything for no better reason than what is presumably 'by nature', chase another fish to the ends of the earth just to kill it; hence requiring 900g or 12x12 of water for two male splendens.
Difference between a monster tank and a natural habitat? If you were to try to replicate as hard as you can a natural habitat, it'll surely be a lot of effort but other than seasonal changes, weather changes, etc, I doubt there's much difference. Takashi Amano (ah, my idol) whose personal tank that he has been keeping for several years, dimensions about 4meter x 1.5 x 1.5m, has angels, neons or cardinals, I can't quite remember, amongst others. And they breed there. Neons/cardinals are notoriously hard to breed and keep fry alive to adulthood. And he doesn't even try to separate them and specially feed them as many keepers do. He just leaves them to do their thing. So yes, I do believe there is little difference when done correctly.
Btw splendens don't just live in rice paddies. Not sure if there's still pure strain wild splendens, but wild bettas in general live from a range of different environments from rivers, streams, drains, paddies and grassy fields etc. Sure the habitat can be shallow and be miles long, but doesn't mean those miles are kept by one single betta as territory. Even lions or wolves keep to their own limited territory as it's too much energy to threaten other packs from or expand their lands constantly and the fear of their own death would keep them from doing stupid things; much less a two inch fish--how much territory can it possibly hold?
Amano's personal tank. Not sure when this was taken. Layout has undergone quite a few changes over the years, so google "Takashi amano personal tank" for better process. Credit to whoever took that.
