Tips for buying a new betta

[Shedeivl]

Going to by a new betta tomorrow and just want some tips on what to look for in my new friend all tips welcome thanx

[BettaLu&Meg]

well you obvioiusly don't want to the one thats on the bottom. and the one full of poor water that hasn't looked cleaned. These are bad signs for the future. You want to see what fin type you want and like the most. don't just look at the signs and covers that say what type they are, i find that some stores label the wrong fintypes. If you go there with some knowledge on them you wont have a problem. You also want to look for the one that notices you when you walk by and flares at you. these are signs of a healthy betta. energetic and up.

[Shedeivl]

thanx thats helps

and really clarfied somethings for me

[FishMomma]

When you go to the pet store look at the cleanliness of the other fish tanks, too. If they are dirty and have dead fish floating in them (yes, I've seen this!), then go down the street to the next pet shop!!! The most common Bettas that you see in the pet stores are crowntails and veiltails. My personal favorite is the Halfmoon but you never see these in the pet stores where I'm from. Pick one who has his entire tail, in other words it doesn't have fin/tail rot. Also, look for one who responds somewhat to you or at least looks at you when you pick up his cup or look at him. Make sure the water in the cup is fairly clean, too, and doesn't have a lot of poo in it.

Remember, too, that you should get a tank that is at least 2 gallons in size so that your Betta has a healthier life. Do weekly water changes of 25%-50% if you get a filtered tank and 75%-80% if you don't get a filter. NEVER do a 100% water change for a lot of reasons!

Hope this helps! Good luck with your new Betta! Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to help! Feel free to send me a private message, too. Good luck!

[Oscar Betta]

look for one thats not just like completly drooping at the the bottom, and you will probably look at the one with like the best fins or somethin, but that means that they have lived longer than the others probably because there fins are more developed. Well either way you are saving another betta

[bettalvr]

Yes, check things out BEFORE you purchase your betta. I work with a pet shop (I do animal behavior modification/training) and when I started working with them they kept the bettas in the small plastic bags in which they were delivered. I went ballistic! Within a few months, a big unit was setup just for the bettas! They all have about 2 gallons of water in which to swim, a huge filtering system, weekly cleaning, feeding regimen, betta care info sheets, and of course, picture identifications! Most people I see have no idea that there is anything other than a vt or ct, so I make sure they see the photos and differences! Education, education, education. . . we can never get enough!

[FishMomma]

WOW! Glad to hear you made such a fantastic difference in your local pet shop! Maybe you should go into business training pet shop employees in the fish department! Actually, I do have to say there is one guy at our local Petsma*t that really does know a fair amount. But even some of the info he gave me yesterday was incorrect just based on my research and experience. No one is right all the time but fish departments should at least be somewhat reliable. Anyway, where is the next training spot for you?! LOL!

[BettaLu&Meg]

Nice bettalvr, see we can make a difference!! and you where a nieghbor of mine so even better!!!

[bettalvr]

Thanks for the ego boost! I really enjoy where I work and the latitude I am given to make changes. Funny thing, my specialty is canine & avian behavior but I find myself continually digging for info for all the animals we have. I figure I could be asked a question about any animal so I better be prepared to have some basic knowledge and a network for in depth knowledge. Another thing we have incorporated here is educational tours (yeah, I'm in charge of those LOL) for anyone. We have had several schools bring classes in since we started doing this and several of the group homes in the area have brought in their residents for tours. I utilize several programs for juveniles (offenders, dual diagnoses, and developmentally challenged) in assisting me with general health care, custodial care, behavior monitoring, etc. For those who volunteered beyond scheduled times as a group, we gave them a betta & tank (parent approved, of course) to show our appreciation. Each time they come in to visit they run to tell me how their betta is doing and I'm pretty sure they don't leave out many details! It's great. And many of these kids really listen when we talk to them because I often hear them quoting something I've said previously! Keeps me on my toes, but if it improves the quality of life for our non-human babies, then it's all worth it!

[FishMomma]

It sounds like you've not only helped some Bettas but also some kids who have been in trouble, too! That is absolutely fantastic!!! Bettas are important but human beings are even more important so I'm glad that you've given help to everyone! Keep up the great job! We need more folks like you at EVERY pet store!