Paradise Fish??

I have kept many paradise fish in the past. Yes, they're a form of gourami...they could get along with T. leeri if they have enough room and cover to get out of each other's hair (don't mix with domesticated bettas...males especially will go after other anabantoids even if the larger PF's have no interest). Paradise fishes definitely behave better with other fishes when kept in groups...however, they are unexpectedly predatory and will occasionally rip apart danios and similar sized fishes they were getting on with perfectly the day before in what appear to be predatory attacks even if they don't fit in their mouths (platy-sized and larger fishes are safe). I have kept groups of as many as 5 paradise fishes in a 20 long before, but I've found that irregardless of how many paradise fishes are in the tank they are disease prone...all but one of my M. opercularis died young from illness and were always the first fishes to take ill if stuff went wrong, perhaps a consequence of mass production. I would recommend getting wild fishes if possible (they are reportedly VERY hardy...first non-goldfish in the hobby for a reason!) or perhaps even try another species in the genus (avoid M. hongkongensis and occelatus...the former is psychotic and the latter needs a wintering period in the 50's that the pearl gouramies would not appreciate). Might not hurt to try the related Pseudosphromenus genus...not quite as pretty, but smaller and easier to fit in communities.