cal, I started out with 2 (1 male and 1 female). The male chased the female around so much that he grew to 2 times her size. I read up on them and discovered that this happens often. I went back to the store and bought 2 more females. Life is quieter now and the male (Bill) has been bumped down to #3 in the nipping order. The original female is now in charge of the whole tank and the largest of all of them. (Go, Anna Ida!)
I love them, too. I don't have any difficulty with them in regards to the smaller fishes or the pleco.
Do some research on them, though. My LFS had mine listed as "snakeskin gouramis." When I returned to purchase the second round, the owner didn't much care for me correcting him. You can find loads of pictures if you google them.