Considering a beta for my 43-gallon community tank

[EpaPuff]

I've had my 43gal freshwater community tank up and running for a couple years, and I'm thinking of adding a centerpiece fish with some personality. The tank's currently home to 7 red eye tetras and 3 Corydoras, so I'm looking for something colorful to liven things up. I've got live plants with plenty of hiding spots as you can see. I've never tried keeping a beta before, but I'm wondering if it'd be a good fit - or if I should steer clear.

[ilikefish]

I've had female bettas in a community tank, they were fine with my tetras and Corys. Males, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend. Maybe a small gourami could work as a centerpiece instead of a beta?

[EpaPuff]

I've had female bettas in a community tank, they were fine with my tetras and Corys. Males, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend. Maybe a small gourami could work as a centerpiece instead of a beta?

I've had gouramis in the past and they're great, but I'm thinking of trying something new to gain more experience with different fish.

[ilikefish]

I've had my 43gal freshwater community tank up and running for a couple years, and I'm thinking of adding a centerpiece fish with some personality. The tank's currently home to 7 red eye tetras and 3 Corydoras, so I'm looking for something colorful to liven things up. I've got live plants with plenty of hiding spots as you can see. I've never tried keeping a beta before, but I'm wondering if it'd be a good fit - or if I should steer clear.

To be honest, I'm a bit hesitant about the idea of adding a beta to your tank. They're called Siamese fighting fish for a reason, and I've heard it's not the best idea to introduce them to a community tank. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would strongly advise against it. If you're looking for something different, have you considered a hatchetfish? They're pretty interesting, but they do need to be in a school. Another option might be an Apistogramma species - I'm a bit rusty on this, but I think they could work well in a community tank.

[EpaPuff]

I've had female bettas in a community tank, they were fine with my tetras and Corys. Males, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend. Maybe a small gourami could work as a centerpiece instead of a beta?

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look into those options. I'll do some research on Apistogrammas and see how they'd fit in my tank, and also consider female betas as an alternative. I appreciate the suggestions and I'll weigh my options before making a decision.