Can It Be Done?

[NumbUK]

Ok, Im going to order my first tank this week hopefully. Going to be either 125l or 200l
The missus wants some 'pretty' fish and has been on the internet looking at pictures.

She really likes angelfish and bettas. I was wondering if it was possible to have the two in the same tank?

The tank would be quite large, hopefully a couple of small angels, a female betta, a pair of dwarf gourami and some schooling fish, maybe a pleco if I can stock it.

I've done my research, and online I seem to get mixed results. One person will say betta and Angels will tear each other apart, others say they have them living together perfectly.

Can anyone give me any more insight? I realise each fish is individual, etc. Does anything else affect the likelyhood for them to get on? Space? Hiding places/cover? Well fed etc?
Also, if this could potentially work, would the Angels/Betta/Dwarf Gourami see the smaller schooling fish and snacks?

She loves the look of Betta's, it would be a shame not to be able to have such a wonderful fish. However, first and foremost, I want these fish to be healthy and happy.
If a betta will stress other fish, hurt or kill them, I'd rather have something else .

Sorry about the wall of text, I've collected these questions over a few days whilst researching, its a lot to ask and I appreciate any help

Thanks,

Numb

 

[Carlovel1]

Bettas attack Angels
Angels attack Bettas
Bettas attack Gouramis
Gouramis attack Bettas
But Gouramis and Angels wont attack eachother.
If you want Bettas dont buy Angels or Gouramis.
Couldn't resist the layout!
Carl

 

[hacket]

I'm of the opinion that bettas need to be in their own solitary tank. I know there are people out there that have no issues with them as members of a community, but I tried this once, and the betta killed my cory. Never gonna do it again. As you said, it's all in the personality of the fish, and they can change to a grumpy disposition in a heartbeat.

If you want some color, go for some cardinals or neons. Get about 6-8 and they will be beautiful with some angelfish.

 

[OldMan47]

I always have kept my Betta splendens in a community setting and have had no trouble at all with them that way. I have seen lots of warnings about this or that fish that they could not live with but have never actually seen any trouble in my tanks as long as I had only 1 Betta splendens. I have recently started doing wild type bettas and see very slight aggression from a betta pugnax toward a gourami but even that is very muted and is not causing any real trouble in my big community tank.

 

[achase]

I think with a betta in a community tank you always risk aggression issues but it really depends on the personality of the betta.
You could try it but be prepared to rehouse the betta if any problems occur. Personally I would just add some sort of tetra there are some very colorful varieties.
As suggested before neons and cardinals are very colorful and would make a lovely addition to any tank!

 

[SlyPolak]

Bettas attack Angels
Angels attack Bettas
Bettas attack Gouramis
Gouramis attack Bettas
But Gouramis and Angels wont attack eachother.
If you want Bettas dont buy Angels or Gouramis.
Couldn't resist the layout!
Carl

REALLY??? guaranteed??? So that means that my opaline gouramis, angels, and BETTA should of killed each other by now??
Like everyone else is saying it just depends on the fish.......

 

[Carlovel1]

I've had angels kill my Betta, Gouramis are probably worse

 

[NumbUK]

Thanks for all the advice guys .

Pretty much confirmed my research that the individual temperament of fish is a huge factor to what can live well in a community tank.

I suppose the next logical thing would be to ask how to pick a betta with a less aggressive temperament?

If it flares at everything it sees. Is in a tank on its own at the LFS are usual good indicators. Any others?

Also, would I be better off getting a different type of gourami? One that perhaps prefers mid/low-tank levels to give the betta more space?