Wild bettas are not as aggressive (nor colorful) as the store bought variety. Remember, they were bred for fighting at one time, and they are still strongly bred for color, flare, and tail patterns. There is a new variety out that is much larger than the standard betta, but quite expensive.
You can keep females together in larger groups, but males, no.
I think 2-3 gallons should be minimum ... they should have a heater set between 78-82 ... a filter, of course! all fish don't like ammonia and nitrite, and still regular water changes with a filter to keep nitrates down. Remember, in those rice fields, there is a ton of rice plants keeping the water pristine.
I had one in a 10 gallon, swam around a ton, then I put in two dividers to house two others I wanted, and he sulked for quite some time. He is back to blowing big bubble nests, and the other one as well. The female is with the filter outlet to minimize disturbance to the male tails ... the first is a veil-tail, the second is a double-tail, and the female is a plakat.
When I can clear out my 29 gallon, I will get two dividers and let those three take over that tank.
One thing is certain though, they don't eat as much as an oscar, they don't need as high a circulation rate as an oscar, and they don't need water changes as often as an oscar ... but they do have a personality comparable to an oscar when properly cared for
They see you and take notice, and each have their quirks.
I have fed mine on Hikari Betta Bio-Gold. Mine hardly ever go up for air, they get enough oxygen from the water.
Please be kind and treat your Bettas with the same respect as any other fish ... just because they seem to take a beating, doesn't mean you must treat them as such. Heaters, filters, space, and love
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