You know what I think - Betta are Better!
Formally known as Anabantoids - the fish from the Gourami group you speak of, would be more approachable if females were easy to get. I like they way they look, but they never last long in my tanks. Betta are easy to breed (relatively) and can even spawn in community tanks with the odd fry surviving in a well planted aquarium.
Splendens gets a bad rap due to the puppy-mill veil-tail in a cup in most pet chains. There really is a whole world of flavor out there, color, shape and form.
Betta species are pretty cool, but not as personable as the fish "domesticated" for 100 plus years. To me, it is the difference between the domestic dog, and the wolf. One has personality, and the other is a legacy.
The Chinese prefer Gourami - as food.
Formally known as Anabantoids - the fish from the Gourami group you speak of, would be more approachable if females were easy to get. I like they way they look, but they never last long in my tanks. Betta are easy to breed (relatively) and can even spawn in community tanks with the odd fry surviving in a well planted aquarium.
Splendens gets a bad rap due to the puppy-mill veil-tail in a cup in most pet chains. There really is a whole world of flavor out there, color, shape and form.
Betta species are pretty cool, but not as personable as the fish "domesticated" for 100 plus years. To me, it is the difference between the domestic dog, and the wolf. One has personality, and the other is a legacy.
The Chinese prefer Gourami - as food.