Where did you get your betta?

[Hebdizzle]

Subject says it all, where did you get your betta from? I am interested in getting one for my 2.5 gallon but around here the stock isn't A+....

Aaron

[OrionGirl]

I responded from my LFS, but they get most of them from a local breeder.

A few tips on picking a betta that have really worked well for me. Don't buy one that is being kept in a jar/cup. Many stores will have them spread out in tanks, or even have the HOT boxes that allow them to have 3 bettas in one tank, but kept apart with dividers. This is much preferable, since the water is less likely to be polluted. Bettas that can swim around the entire tank are, IMO, healthier, because they get more exercise.

Spend some time watching the fish. Don't get one just because you like it's color; make sure the fish is alert, flares a bit, and has healthy finnage. Never get a betta that is lying on the bottom of the tank/cup/jar. Also, the smaller the fish, the younger it probably is, so the longer it will live with you.

HTH

[Hebdizzle]

Thanks for the reply Oriongirl!

I went looking for one today, but I wasn't truly happy with the selection that I saw. I am planning on visiting a better store tomorrow to see what I can find. I've seen some of the MOST BEAUTIFUL fish on Aquabid and other websites, however they are quite pricy and I am apprehensive about shipping. (Not only the fish surviving but also the costs).

Thanks,
Aaron

[ChilDawg]

I got my most recent one from PetSmart and my other one from Wal-Mart. If you need help looking for a good one, I'll call up a thread on it...lots of good ideas there.

Also, Jon Rare, who goes by RARE AFISHIONADO on another forum (www.predatoryfish.net/ibforums), sells very nice ones...if you can get a group together to pick up the fish from a local airport, he may waive shipping...

[WaterBaby]

I also got mine from Petsmart. There were "hundreds". Unfortunately the ones there are kept in cups. I don't think mine is too young, but he is happy and healthy and loving his new found "universe" :)

[ChilDawg]

Here's the thread: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14188

[ArkyLady]

I recently ordered some bettas online from a breeder. He shipped them priority mail (cost was about $7). Shipping took 2 days and they were fine when I got them and I've had no problems with them. Since bettas don't need oxygen in the water, they can handle a bit longer shipping time. They were a little stressed when I got them, but fish I've had shipped overnight were just as stressed.

Most breeders won't guarantee live arrival unless you get overnight shipping, but the betta breeders I've talked to all say they have very few problems shipping priority with bettas, other fish may be a different story though.

[TKOS]

I bought mine at Walmart. The older setup they had was individual tanks and they would put one betta per tank that could hold them. So they got about 10 new ones a week. Now they have the stupid cup setup and have tons of the poor little guys. I see people come in and buy 4 or 5 cups at a time. I am glad that I got mine when I did as he is a fabulous little swimmer with his own 5 gallon bachelor pad.

[ChilDawg]

www.thebettabubble.com has Bettas up for adoption.

[MonoSebaelover]

I voted other since I currently have 5 male bettas. Four of the 5 I got from a local wholesaler (when I worked at the lfs before they closed) they are 2 AMAZING Crowntails (a black and a brilliant purple), a Cambodian (supposivly a crown but has yet to grow them, still pretty though) and a Male that looks a lot like the Mustard Gas line (green body with green and gold in the fins, basically a VERY bright Chocolate). The 5th little boy I raised my self and has a steel blue body with a red patch at the fin body margin and then steel blue fins. Anyway, just thought I would post this.

[Hebdizzle]

quite a collection you got there!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get out today (what kind of teachers assign homework on thursdays?) but I plan on it tommorow, if not this weekend. Last time I looked (not specifically though) the pet stores around me didn't have any crowntails, which is my favorite. Second would probably be Half Moon. Hopefully I will be able to find one of these.

Aaron

[farli]

I usually get mine at Walmart or from my lfs...I have really good luck with my picking them out...If the male is in a cup (there really isn't anything bad with a healthy cup raised betta) try to get one that if you put another near it he flares. Another helpful hint is if it has a good, fresh looking bubble nest, it is healthy.

[dischirm]

Well, there was an employee where I work who decided just to never come back one day and she had had the fish in a TINY little jar on her desk. I noticed the fish was still there about 4 days later and I took him and got him a nice (only 1 gallon but considering where he was before...) tank and some appropriate food and he is now MY desk fish!!!!! :dance: :dance:

[Betta-Luvn]

Well I have 6 bettas... they all came from Different pet stores, around 5-10$ a betta. One i got off the internet, 38$

IM A BETTA ADDICT<<<3

[sumthin fishy]

I got my CT from my lfs, great store. And they keep thier bettas in 10 gallons comunitys, spread out of course. If you wan to buy a nice betta, find Pixie, shes got great stock