How rare is the black betta?

[chinnp]

I was at the LFS today checking out some remodeling they're doing (apparently they're adding an entire section on planted tanks) and noticed they were selling a black betta that they labeled as "rare". It was $15 which seemed pretty pricy for most fish I buy much less bettas but it was a very beautiful fish. I don't have any pics, but it's a smaller betta (or possibly just a juv fish) doesn't have the long flowing fins of fancier bettas and is jet black. I was a little intrigued as I have 5g and 10g tanks with no occupants at the moment. How rare is the black betta anyway? Is caring for it any different than your average betta?

[caitylee]

They are not any harder to take care of then a regular betta, and I don't think they are as rare as the lfs is making them out to be. I have a black orchid crown tail and he is absolutely gorgeous, I got him from Petco.

[paperdragon]

Well, they are somewhat rare, but a few folks here either have them or have had them before. Care would be the same as other bettas, but I've read before that they have shorter lifespans than average. Not sure how accurate that is.


edit, guess caitylee beat me to the post

[chinnp]

Hmmm. Any harder than usual to breed? It was about the color of the average black molly so it was a color I've not seen on a betta before.

[SchizotypalVamp]

Was this a wild betta?

[lilim10]

No, black bettas are not "rare" they're just less commonly seen. You can buy many high quality black bettas from breeders, but petstore bettas generally do not have "pure" genes, so that black male may throw other colors due to his mixed blood. If you're breeding for color, I would buy from a breeder. As for being harder to take care of, they are the same as any other betta. However, some rare strains of betta available through breeders are sometimes a bit more challenging than the average betta. Other than that, no the care should be the same, along with the breeding.

[Hurley]

I remember reading something about how pure black bettas can't be breed. They are infertile. It was a couple years ago I read that when I was trying to get information on breeding bettas. Not sure how true it is but if it is true then that might explain why they are more rare.

[lilim10]

I remember reading something about how pure black bettas can't be breed. They are infertile. It was a couple years ago I read that when I was trying to get information on breeding bettas. Not sure how true it is but if it is true then that might explain why they are more rare.

Not true, breeding black bettas is no different from regular bettas. Check this site: http://bettatalk.com/ she's a great breeder and sells high quality fish that breed true. There's also info and tips in there, along with supplies.

[jackiomy]

Had to show you pics of my boys. I am a proud mom and I paid 10.99 for each of them from the same local breeder.

My older boy, Max.
67078

My newest boy, Video.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64895&thumb=1&d=1223865359 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64895&d=1223865359)

And more Max being a ham.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64311&thumb=1&d=1223520627 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64311&d=1223520627)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64306&thumb=1&d=1223520378 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=64306&d=1223520378)

The boys are both Black Orchids. I have a female at home who is a Black Lace. I have heard that the Black Melano females are sterile so you can't breed them.

[chinnp]

Is $15 a reasonable price or high?

[lilim10]

Depends, but for a petstore betta, kinda high. For a breeding betta with good genes, pretty good. Also depends on finnage and color. Generally petstore bettas are veiltails, not very high quality. Halfmoons can be obtained through breeders along with deltas and superdeltas. Color depends on whether its clean or not and its coloration.

For example, jackiomy's bettas are halfmoons (meaning that their tail forms 180 degrees) and it has good, clean coloration. I'm sure about its genes however.

[Inka4040]

I remember reading something about how pure black bettas can't be breed. They are infertile. It was a couple years ago I read that when I was trying to get information on breeding bettas. Not sure how true it is but if it is true then that might explain why they are more rare.

Male melano (black) bettas are fertile, but it is females that express the black coloration that are sterile. In order to achieve black spawns, one must breed a black male to a steel blue female with melano genes. I've heard recently of completely fertile black females, but have yet to see them for sale, and would assume that they would likely be relatively (very) expensive still. Though black bettas are not as rare as they once were, considering that there are still issues in producing them, they certainly aren't nearly as common as other varieties. That said, for just a bit more than 15 bucks a pop, you could get a really outstanding betta on Aquabid, and if you find one stateside/locally, without having to pay too much in terms of shipping.

Faith (bettatalk) is a bastion of the betta community, and has cetainly compiled quite a bit of information about breeding bettas on her site, but her fish are priced (IMO) in such a way that makes me believe she is selling her "brand" more than her fish. Anyone remember "Uncle Junkin's" 500 dollar mustard gas bettas? That said, a fish is only worth what the highest bidder is willing to pay.

[Woofy]

There are black bettas that can be $15 but most likely will have some othr color in them . There are TRUE pure jet black bettas that the only color they wil have which is a trait of pure blacks will be small white tips on theres pelvic fins. These can be up to $40 for a true black one and usually have to go to a place where they specialize in bettas or a breeder.

[jackiomy]

My babies have little white toes.

[Que]

$15 for a rare animal seems low.

If you like it buy it.

Q

[chinnp]

These are definitely not veil tails. Their finnage seems closer to the average female betta than anything. I have a thing for bettas and have always loved them. I currently have none of them and feels strange to me to not have one. I've always been interested in breeding bettas, but have never made any effort to do so.

[Inka4040]

It sounds like they could be wildtype/plakats. Either way, I have to agree with Que, if you like the dern thing, buy it!

[chinnp]

Well, I will definitely clean the 5g tonight when I get home. We'll see what mood I'm in tomorrow.

[nguyendetecting]

I think black bettas are rare, my g/f has been wanting a black betta for a while so I check at the lfs around the area every once in a while. Have only seen 1 this year. I don't mean black with blue, or black with red. I mean all black no other colors. The one I saw was somewhat shorter finned male and was labeled as "black show betta". And was $25 bucks. I have yet to see an all black one on AC.

So I'd say yeah they are rare, less common, less popular. however you want to put it. There aren't many out there in LFS. If you get one keep us updated =)

[chinnp]

Well, I'm majorly pissed right now because of the Phils/Rays game. It's ridiculous and it's a farce. I'll be stewing all day tomorrow now.

[Virtuoso2K12]

Black Bettas aren't rare,they just aren't bred as much.

[nguyendetecting]

lol. so wouldn't that make them less common?? aka rare?

[chinnp]

Well, I'm probably going to pass for today. I have to go grocery shopping after work and I don't really want the fish sitting in my car while I'm shopping. It's just too cold right now here locally.