Buying Bettas

[jkun17]

Hi all!!

Thank you so much for all the help and advice you have all been giving me. It is most appreciated and you have all gratitude I could possibly muster and whatever else I find along the way

Being the man of a thousand questions, it's only natural that I'd have yet another to ask.

I'm going to a betta show on Saturday and I fully inted to buy anywhere from 3 to 6 bettas (I love bettas. I think I'm addicted). I was wondering about how much I'd should expect to pay for some of the more elusive bettas. I don't have any particular list of things I'm expecting to buy, so if you know of where I could find a price guide it would be most appreciated.

Also, what are some of the more rare bettas I should be on the look-out for.

 

[juliethegr8t]

You're going to go NUTS at the show, they're unbelievable, especially your first. However, if this is an IBC show, and it is run like most of them, the judging will be Saturday and the actual auction Sunday, so plan for that, just in case. Auctions depend on who is there, how many people are there, and the fish of course. You could get a wonderful fish for the minimum bid of 3 or 4 dollars, or pay upwards of 30. My most expensive fish was 18, and he's amazing, I think I didn't pay enough. However, Sorrell and cation got a few great catches for like 5-10. As far as rare bettas, I would recommend just looking for true halfmoon bettas, they will be expensive though. So will some of the fancier crowntails or colors like copper or black (my 18 dollar boy was a black HM plakat). I say just buy whatever appeals to you, sometimes everyone else will love it too and you won't be able to afford it, and sometimes you'll be the lucky one who gets a beautiful fish for cheap. IBC auctions rock.

 

[jkun17]

It's not an IBC thing, it's just a local fish breeder's club and it's a one day thing so I'm gonna be hyped. So crazy hyped!! It's a good 45 minutes away, but if it's worth it, who am I to complain?

Can't wait to load up on all these beautiful bettas

There's also going to be a guy there showing bettas that are bred to fight, apparently they're more showy and stuff. Maybe I'll save a couple from the ring. I just bought 5 extra betta bowls in anticipation of the weekend. I can't wait.

 

[jkun17]

Sorry to bring up a dead topic again, but seeing as there's a betta show tomorrow, I was wondering what kinds of betta I should be looking for.

I have a lot of crown tails and veil-tails and one plakat. I was wondering what are the more rare ones out there and what kinds of colors and color combinations are the most difficult to find.

The reason I'm asking is so that I don't spend $30 on a fish I could have gotten for $10.

Thanks again!

 

[Sorrell]

I'd just try to look for quality mor over oddities (although I love my special colored fishies ) As Julie was saying, you'll probably see fish for cheap like 3-5 dollars and then all the way up, depending who wants it. Is this an auction I'm guessing? At the Seattle one, we had lots of fish in between 3-30 dollars all the way up to over a hundred

The big red guy in my sig in the bottom left corner, he was an amazing fish and I only paid $38 I think for him

 

[jkun17]

It's a one evening thing that's actually a general aquarists meeting that just happens to have a few betta breeders coming.

In terms of buying, it's a bit of both. I can buy some of the bettas directly, anything that's auctioned is partially given to the club. I plan to bring about $100 with me and maybe I'll have to buy a few more bowls on the way back

The only problem now is finding shelf space

What are some of the oddities I should be looking out for?

 

[cynsheis]

Well the show is over and I am sorry I wasnt here to post to you..Did you purchase a Betta or three?

Oh also, LOVE your little avatar!

cyn

 

[jkun17]

Actually they didn't auction any bettas. I'm kinda pissed cause I've got all these bowls and I don't know what to do with 'em.

Someone on the forum said they were giving them away so I offered to take 'em. I figure that since I've already set up these bowls I might as well use them.

I did, however, get some information on a killer betta store that's about 10 mintues closer than the LFS I go to now. It's a really nice store and they've got, maybe, 50 to 60 bettas. 30 of 'em are half-moons (I love half-moons). I bought a breeding pair and I'm trying to breed them as we speak -- er -- type.

The auction wasn't a total loss in that I found that great store!

My avatar's not that great. I just went out onto my balcony, set my glasses down on the banister (probably not the smartest place to put my glasses) and took a snapshot. Glad you like it though

 

[cynsheis]

LOL it looks like an avatar of the invisible man )

Ok, well good luck on the spawning ;o)

 

[D Chia]

Someone on the forum said they were giving them away so I offered to take 'em.

Brilliant move!!! There'll never be enough.

That's a very groovy pair of glasses. Reminds me of the International Man of Mystery.

 

[freshmike]

Good luck at the show! Hope to see pics of who you purchase!

I am still trying to think of a way I can get to the one in Vancouver in the spring......people to see, fish to buy.

 

[jkun17]

Good luck at the show! Hope to see pics of who you purchase!

I am still trying to think of a way I can get to the one in Vancouver in the spring......people to see, fish to buy.

Actually the thread is fairly old and the auction came and went without my buying any bettas... partially due to the fact that no bettas were sold

But I did get info on a store that sold TONS of half-moons. I bought two half-moon males and two half-moon females. I'm trying to breed the two orange ones as we speak... er... type.

The other is a blue/white mix and the other is this lovely deep navy-blue color. The male of that pair is still too young to mate though... I might go back and buy a more mature male... Oh well. I'll post pics ASAP.