Yep, the chocolate gourami was originally also planned but I hated the skin for it and couldn't bring myself to fix it. It ended up being so similar to the frail gourami but less unique as well which didn't help.

I also noticed when booting up the game there is mention of the Chocolate Gourami on the loading screen. Was that planned and then cut?

Great! My research and fish shop are already very crowded from all the mods and didn´t want to add 36 of the same fish to that :)

breeding. :)

When you say variants, do you mean fishes to buy from the shop or fish you can bread from an original fish?

I say use a large tank; bettas have a territorial need and smaller tanks restrict the number you can have, thus leading to less breeding potential. I use a small tunnel tank myself called the Betta Canal.

Now I have to decide if I want to use a short, shallow tank to simulate their natural environment, or a nice tall one to see all of my new betta friends properly.

Yes, they are! :) I wanted to make sure you could use them for a more naturalistic exhibit as well as for a breeding challenge. I also have another upcoming fish that is similar to this I hope you enjoy once Amazing Mangroves Disc II drops.

One thing I noticed and like about the Bettas is that they seem to be based on wild types rather than the larger and more extravagant captive types.

in my fish tank i have two gouramis one is a honey gold and the other idk what speices it is but the honey gold is a very calm one

Ah! I was hoping someone would add gouramis and the common betta! Another two species to grind for variants.