I've had my blue V.T.,aka Psycho Phish, for a year now.Twice I've tried to introduce him to a community tank with Zebra Danios and corys.The first time he fooled me,was MR Happy Fish,swimming around,exploring,being very nonagressive.The next morning my tank was a scene of horror and carnage.3 dead Danios,2 injured and hiding.Even the corys were hiding in a cave.Psycho Phish was joyously swimming around humming the Jaws theme song.
The next time,about 4 monthes later,after the corys had come out of therapy,he went Great White as soon as he hit the water.I managed to get him out without any casualties.
I'm not even going to try with my Crown Tail.
I just don't understand how some people can put a male Betta in a tank with other fish and everything is all Happy,Happy,Joy,Joy.Is there something they are adding to the water,you know,like Betta Downer?Did they just get lucky,and not buy homicidal psycopaths?Is Psycho Phish trying to live up to his name?
So,how do you do it?!?

Bettas just aren't good community fish. Sometimes you find one that is mild mannered and easy going, but that is not normally their nature. The majority of them will not live well in a community tank. Even those who have lived in community tanks for most of their lives will often turn one day and kill off everything in the tank it can catch. Your only hope is to find one that is very laid back and even then you can't be sure he won't turn on the other fish. Sorry.

I wouldn't add male Bettas to a community tank. Try to get some betta females. I have a few girls in a 29 gallon with rasboras, cories, and a SAG. They get along great =)

Besides the Petsmart females...they're EVIL

The only problem I had with my daughter's betta in my community tank was my tiny neons went missing, I don't know if it was Sparkle or my sailfin pleco but somthing ate 4 or 5 neons. In all fairness the neons were only about 1/4 inch long so they would fit in just about anybodys mouth, so I can't confirm who ate them.
I didn't see the betta chase any fish unless they started it. :dunno: Him and my rainbow shark played tag occasionally, but there was never any damage done to either of them.

Fish have personalities just like people, it sounds like you got a Hanibal Lecter Betta.

Hannibal Lector? :pft: He's a punk compared to my little blue boy.But really,I've kept Bettas off and on for 20 years and this guy has more personality than any ten I've ever had.Currently he's very happy in his new 2.5gallon solatary cell.

What size was the community tank? I have kept males (ones I had two males in the same tank) in a 30UKG and a 42UKG tank and never had any problems. In the current community, the betta doesn't like the cories so he flares at them but they just ignore him.