I was very into fish in college and had 4 bettas at one time. I had the most success keeping a lone male in a 2gl planted tank with a mini filter and a light (which also functioned as a heater). I usually got mine to live 2-3 years. I attempted to have an all female betta 10gl planted tank, but had very bad luck with the females becoming egg bound (even without being exposed to a male), so I gave up keeping females.

If you want to see some really nice bettas, go to aquabid.com it is a fish auction site. People sell bettas from the US and from asia on there and there are some amazing looking ones.

I, too, would avoid keeping a betta in a community tank with any cichlid or gourami species.. I had the best luck when keeping them with small schooling fish (rasboras, etc.).

They are great little fish and have a lot of personality. I'd like to keep one again sometime in the future.