What else can I put with my betta?

I have a 20 gallon tank with a male betta, what can I put can with him?

• My betta Jeffery is in a heated, filtered, 20 gallon tank. I've had him a little less than a month and he's had various "room mates" since then but all of them have died except for one neon swordtail. When he was just alone in his tank he was really active and seemed happy, but as I added other fish, he hid all the time in his plants. Now that there is only one other fish left, he is getting a little active again. I've had 2 platies, 2 swordtails, 2 mollies and 2 gouramis (not all at the same time)...were those good betta companions or not? If I add more fish do you think he will go back to hiding? Would an African Dwarf Frog be o.k.? If I do get more fish what should I get? Should I just leave him be, or is there any fish I could get that he would be o.k. with? I love Jeffery to death <3 as he was my first fish and he is absolutely adorable. I want what's best for him even if I have to have a 20 gallon tank with only one fish in it. I would like to have other fish, though, and still have him be happy. Thanks!

• Answer:

  Platies should be good. Swordtail - probably OK, and as you already have one that's working out, should be OK to get a couple more. Gourami - not recomnended, too closely related to betta so you might get aggression. Mollies - can also be aggressive, I wouldn't add them Small bottom dwellers do well with Betta, Cory catfish or kuhli loaches etc. Your initial fish deaths were probably due to the tank not being cycled, by now it should be so it will be safe to add a few more fish.