Actually, I won him in an online auction. I've been looking for a fish like him since I started visiting those auctions 4 months ago, so I basically got lucky finding a betta like this one, but they have loads of spectacular crowntail bettas for auction on the site. I was just being very picky in getting one like him.
Can you believe the shipping will only be $5?? It's because he ships in bulk to a transhipper, so the shipping prices are low. So I'll be paying roughly $20 total for the betta, to my knowledge. I was offered a female for an additional $12, but I know how hard it is to breed bettas... I'll be happy just to have him!!!
The guy I am buying from has had nothing but positive feedback. All his buyers claim they received the fish live, large, healthy, and in spectacular color and condition. I expect nothing less.
I'll let you guys know how it goes, how much I end up paying, and how he looks when I receive him. That way you'll know what to expect if you decide to try buying bettas at auction.