I'm going to be setting up the above tank in a few weeks, intending for it to be pretty heavily planted and with a gravel substrate. Was toying with the idea of a betta biotope but have decided against that for numerous reasons.

Instead I'm leaning towards a shoal of endlers, and I'd like both male and female, but I am concerned about being overrun with fry. I also wanted a larger fish in there too, so was wondering about pearl gourami's. I believe they grow to 12cm max and would be happy in my hard water - would they take care of endler fry or would they demolish the adults too?

In addition, would they be happy in a pair if the tank is heavily planted or are they a shoaling fish?

I understand that both these species are fairly easy to care for and there is an little aquatics shop about half hour away that has both these fish bred in local tap water so ( although I will test the water) parameters should be a good match.

What do we think?

They'd be fine IMO and I've found pearls best in a one Male 2 female group, could still go for a small group of Betta imbellis to the tank, nice little wild mouth brooding group species