selecting a betta

[tammy911]

After reading several times on this forum that the bettas in the lfs are generally advanced in age, my question is, how can you tell? After weeks of searching at all the various stores in my area, i had finally found that perfect fish in February. He was gorgeous! Now, he is sitting at the bottom of my 75g community tank looking like a very old man. In the last month, his color has slowly faded and his fins no longer look full and glorious. He has been eating well up until the last two days. All of the other fish in the tank are doing just fine, very active and healthy looking. Nobody is bothering him, so I really believe that he is just old. I am afraid that he will be gone by the weekend. I would really like to avoid having to go through this again in the near future but I definitely want to have a betta in the tank. How can you tell if you are looking at a young fish? Thanks, Tam

[Andy16]

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14146

Go down to childawgs post.

[ChilDawg]

This isn't a completely fool-proof method, though. I botched it with my first Betta, as Mo definitely died of old age...he didn't have a hump when I got him, but it became more pronounced as the year progressed...

Hopefully, Patriot will last longer, and I hope that yours will too.

[tammy911]

My only concern is that this is for a community tank. If he is flaring at a finger, doesn't that mean that he is too aggressive to go in with others? When you see them looking bored in their jars at the lfs, is it because they are aged? or because they are just bored?

[ChilDawg]

They're just bored. If something torques off a Betta, but the stimulus is always there, they have low-level stress, but won't flare. The aggression toward the finger shows good health...and the fact that they can respond to stimuli which should generate aggression. They are generally docile, though anything with flowing fins or Betta shape can anger a Betta...and they may flare at new arrivals or that which is eating food which they want, but they don't fight with fish that are unlike them.

[tammy911]

So, the search will begin anew! Thanks for the input, guys. I really appreciate it!:) I wish that I knew all of this in February. Watching this old guy go downhill really stinks:( But I guess that's life in the fish business...

[Splash]

I have two male bettas (not in the same tank) and I try and pick out the ones that spunky and are swimming in their little jars. I would never pick one that is just sitting there. Both of mine were about ready to jump out of their jars when I bought them.

Just my 2 cents.

[ChilDawg]

I can't believe that I forgot that part, and I also wanted to mention the bubblenest. I wish that Bettas were better-regulated, but it's pretty difficult to do that, and it's pretty difficult to pick good ones. I am glad to have helped, and I hope that I truly have in your case, Tammy, as it's obviously not a 100% foolproof (or even expert-proof) formula for success!

~Matthew

[delmore]

Find a betta breeder in your area. They usually have lots of reject fry that they cull. It might be fun to raise them from tiny fry.

[ChilDawg]

That would be a great way to ensure their age is appropriate, and also, unless this breeder is a fish farmer, they aren't necessarily show quality, but they still may be darn good pets!

Delmore, I salute you...good idea!!!

[WolfPup522]

What a great idea! I just love my Betta (Ben), but raising a couple from fry would be a lot of fun! Thanks for the idea.

[125gJoe]

Also, older fish have 'pronounced' scales. Meaning, you will see shading around each scale. Look for scales that blend together with no 'shading'.... Younger fish are smaller, but 'runts' are too, but in general small fish are usually younger.

[ChilDawg]

That's a good one, 80gJoe! I'd never even thought about that as a consideration...