doesn't sound bad to me. Personally, i loved seeing the pictus cats w/ the beta, and they kept the tank clean....they are very active too. i'd go w/ 2 pictus cats, the beta and a few of what he said in a 20 gal tank if you can afford it, if not, 10 gals are under $10...get one til they grow up/save. mid sized tanks seem to be very pricey....the 10/20/50 seem reasonable compared to mid sizes.