Yeah I've heard about that, and they end up exasperating the female to death....
I always worry about the products getting into the water, especially since I am making due with a wire reptile-tank-lid for now since... I try to be careful around it and I always keep fresh carbon running (that would help absorb any chemicals or products, right?)
I don't know about planting it, I was using it as a temporary up until a few days ago and I endedu p taking a lot of the gravel out to help with cleaning and buildup and such, so there's just a thin layer of gravel on there now. The three males I have have half-black bodies and very pale neon blue fins... I think i'll get some brighter blues and some blue-greens.
flagfish- it's a 10 gallon tank.