Bettas

fIsHy13

not a troll
Oct 5, 2005
392
0
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I wanna get a betta; they seem like really interesting fish that require less matinece than others. I read up on their care, bagged myself a nice 7 gallon tank, looked around the fish store, and, guess what? No bettas! Or do you have to get them some place special?
 
Well i have yet to come across a fish store in my area that DOESNT sell bettas. Try another store maybe ? Especially stores like petco, petsmart, walmart etc usually have them.

I am not sure what some of the betta enthusiasts in this forum would say about the "less maintenance". Yes these fish (so i've been told - wont get my new betta till next week cause the tanks still cycling) can survive rough conditions - but that shouldnt be a reason to not maintain them properly.

I am sure they'll be happier, more active, interesting and live a longer life if you are as careful and regular with the maintenance as you would for any other fish species.
 
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Yeah...very surprising that they had no Bettas as they are one of the most commonly sold fish. Good choice also for your 7 gallon. Bettas have a ton of personality and you can even put some other fish in there with them in your 7 gallon if you want.
 
Did you ask if they had bettas? They tend to put them on a shelf sometimes away from the other fish.
 
Well I didn't actually ask if they had them, I asumed that if they did they would be out where I could see them. :o
 
fIsHy13 said:
Well I didn't actually ask if they had them, I asumed that if they did they would be out where I could see them. :o


One would think, But I know I have had a hard time finding them in some stores ;)
 
I had a betta for a few years... his 2gal tank was on my desk and he was full of personality, and swam on the side of his tank where he could see me, rather than behind my laptop while I was working. Such a funny little fish (named Sir Henry). Unfortunatly he got ill and eventually died. The replacement is starting to warm up to me, but not nearly as funny to watch as Sir Henry.... still, they are wonderful fish!
 
fIsHy13 said:
I wanna get a betta; they seem like really interesting fish that require less matinece than others. I read up on their care, bagged myself a nice 7 gallon tank, looked around the fish store, and, guess what? No bettas! Or do you have to get them some place special?
Wow, great choice in a tank for a betta fish! They really shouldn't be kept in anything less than 3 gallons and your 7 gallon sounds awesome.

As for maintenance, Hannys_Papa is correct, bettas are pretty hardy (which is their downfall, as people tend to abuse them by keeping them in less adequate conditions) but they require the same maintenance as any other fish. I sincerely hope that you purchased a heater for your tank as betta fish need a temperature of around 80 degrees. They also require filteration, weekly 20% water changes, a good and varied diet -- same as any other fish. Don't add an aerator (air pump) though, it's totally unnecessary. Bettas don't really use the water to breath, they mostly go to the surface for their air needs.

Stock: stores sell out of bettas quickly. What I would do is phone the store and ask them when they are getting their next shipment in and then follow up on that day to see if they are there yet. Go to the store the minute you find out the fish are in and on the shelves. That way you'll get your pick of the fish and can make sure you get a healthy one. Nothing worse than seeing all the sad leftovers :(

Hope that helps and please let us know when you get your betta fish,
Roan
 
Good for you Getting a betta!!!
YAYAY! another furture betta lover. haha well i am only saying so because i have 9 males of my own. Great litttle guys. i love my bettas to death all have very different personalitys.
I hand feed most of mine. although theres 2 that wont eat from my hand... owell.
Good choice in tank size.
You could probably give him some buddys such as ADFs or Otto cats. or even a small school of corys. Anywayz good luck and keep us posted on when you get one!
 
my first fish was a betta now i have 3 2 males and 1 femail. i am trying to breed the femail. I hope shes full of eggs soon
 
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