To betta or not to betta that is the question...?

Question

I am trying to decide whether or not to get a betta. They fish are very pretty, but all of the specimens I have seen look sickly and are kept in tiny tanks. I wouldn't mind buying one of them and giving it a good home, but if the fish is sickly and stands a good chance of dieing i don't wanna bother with it. Do the fish perk up and get healther when you provide them an adequate home?

If I were to get one he would have his own tank/filter and anything else he would need, maybe a few live plants as well. Feeder guppies/fry would be availible as treats for him as well.

Answer 1

* I have Betta fish and they are 4 years old ! You can find a healthy specimen & have a beautiful fish that will live quite some time! They do well in a community tank as long as you only put one male Betta in each tank* I would not buy a fish that looks sickly*

Answer 2

Betta are breed to be long tail and beautiful.
If younger ones were sold, that did not have the long tails developed, most buyer would not purchase nor will it bring a higher price, unlike other tropical fishes where size does not matter. Look for the ones where the body seems straighter. That is a sign fish is younger. Also one with body that is thicker and looks healthy. Don't put more than one male per tank. Should the pet shop sells the fish food,called First Bite, you could plan on raising more Betta's. It is very fine and you will not need live food like brine shrimp or mosquito lavaes.
It is very easy, because the male will build a bubble nest, and guard the frys. If parents are well fed, they will not eat the frys. After three days feed the fish food first bite using a tooth pick. Feed once a day. DO NOT OVER FEED. As frys get larger, then feed twice a day. Hope this answer your question.

Answer 3

All the Bettas I have ever bought have looked less than appealing, and everytime they have come out to be very beautiful fish. They just need some growing room and a decent diet. Also, they are very hardy and the only ones I have ever lost was because of old age. They even survived in a tank where all the other fish died of disease. Now for putting them in a tank with a filter, make sure the filter isnt going to put a strong current in the tank as Bettas naturally come from rice paddies and there isnt any current in habitats like that. Also keep in mind that if you get a male betta, dont mix with any other bettas (even females) as they will fight. I heard that you can put more than one female betta in a tank, but I have never tried it. Never put two male together or a male and a female unless the male and female are ready to mate. Otherwise you will have a fish get killed by the other. Bettas are easy to care for and dont demand a lot from their owners. Just get the food specially formulated for bettas, as it promotes good health, fin growth, and enhances color. I feed mine freeze dried bloodworms as a treat every so often, and they love them. Dont feed the betta any live insects or larve as they carry bacteria that can kill the Betta.

Answer 4

If you are going to get a big tank with a heater and filter and plants, cycle the tank and then do weekly water changes, then you should get yourself a Betta. They have great personalities and are a great deal of fun to watch.

However, if you buy one from a store that keeps them in the tiny cups, you just encourage that store to restock and continue to sell Bettas in horrible conditions. You're not really rescuing a fish from certain death, but might be condemning many others to the same fate. The Bettas will usually perk up and get healthier if you give them clean water, adequate space and good nutrition. But you may be buying trouble, if you get a sickly fish.

I've seen specialty fish stores that keep them in small plastic cups. Just because a Betta can survive in those conditions doesn't mean they will thrive. I've got my Betta in a 30 gallon tank.

I agree that you should find a breeder and buy a great looking fish in great condition. Or find a store that does not keep their Bettas in tiny cups.

Have fun and enjoy your net pet!

Answer 5

I think the male ones in the pet stores look sickly because they have no room to swim and be happy, not that they are actually sick. When given a proper tank, they are quite beautiful and have huge personalities. However, when you are deciding which one to purchase, look for fin rot and other signs of illness (scales pointing outwards, white spots or fluff on their bodies, etc). Good luck!

Answer 6

You should because they are refreshing. Require less maintance than other fish. About their home , I start mine with 1 gal. and it very happy in it. How can I tell because he is making lots of bublle nest which indicates they are ready for mate. About sick fish , pick the one seems very active.Remember healthy betta don't stop moving . One last thing they are smater than most people think.

Answer 7

If you want to get a betta, try not to buy one at petshops, they are often bred in poor conditions, pet shop staff don't generally look after them well and buying them at such places only gives such acts an increasing profit margin. Buy one from a private breeder, they generally cost less, are treated better so therefore look better and are more likely to survive.

Answer 8

BETTAS? I HAVE 2 WARN U, THEY ARE VERY AGGRESIVE TOWARD OTHER MALES AND USUALLY END UP KILLING EACH OTHER...BUT THEY ARE PRETTY AND EASY 2 KEEP. JUST LIKE A GOLDFISH

Answer 9

MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO TO A STORE THAT SELLS FISH AND THAT TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF THEIR FISH

Answer 10

I wouldn't BETTA on this--the odds are NOTTA in your favor.