What Size Tank?

[Juggler75]

Saw an ad for a 10 foot tank the other day, heavily plant it and I'd think you'd be safe with two (even then could have skirmishes or full out battles as no guarantee they would have 5 foot each)

 

[Fishball7]

Nobody knows. I've done my research on this and it seems that's the general consensus behind screams of don't do it and whispers of someone's done it. An article I've read said a male would claim about 40-60cm of space (I assume 40x40x40 at least? ie 16 gallons). In a scientific article, one said wild splendens live in about 2 foot waters during wet/normal season, within thick plants. In aquaria, it seems the most important factors are: size of the tank; 'personality' of fish (ie more passive or not); decor. I've spoken with aggressive-cichlid keepers and that's what they said about their fish as well, and one, who's been especially successful, insisted to never keep females with males because they, males and pairs, tend to get more aggressive. For that reason that's backed up by (the summary of) a scientific article (under Empirical Evidence) I'm not going to keep females with my males. I strongly advocate the priority of those three factors, perhaps in that order. A guy I'm in contact with has successfully kept ~7-8 males with about a dozen females because he put in a lot of thought into the type of betta he bought and his cave decor in a 78 gallon. I don't like so many fish in a 78 gallon anyway but it has worked for him. Bottom line is, unless you've put in a lot of effort, thought, planning and patience into this, I, like 99.9% of others, don't suggest you try. Besides, when you do, be prepared to face an onslaught of negativity and hostility from people

P.S: I think flaring is a definite while chances are they will fight to an extent, which depends on how well everything turns out.