Hello! And a q about grading?

[ToothlessHades]

Hi, just a quick thread to introduce myself.
I am relatively new to keeping fish having got our first (blue crown tail) betta a month back.
Luckily have knowledgeable friends who have made the process smooth, lots of research and Toothless (he's my younger sisters fish really hence being named after a dragon ) has settled in really well and is a happy healthy lad.
This is him...

Now, I decided I would like another betta boy so have spent some time cycling a second tank and found a nice fish who arrives tomorrow so fingers crossed it all goes as smoothly as it did with toothless

Here is the fish...

Now, the main question I have is, he's advertised as an AAA graded fish. Doesn't worry me as I've not bought him to show or breed, he's just a pet at the end of the day.
But curious if this means he's actually a fairly good fish? Or if its a health thing as haven't had much luck finding out about how fish are "graded" or is it just something breeders use to sell fish?

I know how grading works with dogs/horses etc but the fish world is new to me!

Thanks in advance

 

[FishGuest5123]

It’s a beautiful fish and there are graded for shows and breeding but the breeder more than likely graded it on his own. Just saying “high quality” fish. I agree. Stunning!

 

[ClownLurch]

Two stunners there. Any other fish in the house may end up with self worth issues alongside them. I know I’m getting them already and I’ve not even left the thread yet.

 

[ToothlessHades]

Two stunners there. Any other fish in the house may end up with self worth issues alongside them. I know I’m getting them already I’ve not even left the thread yet.

Luckily these are the only two in the house and they'll be in separate rooms. Am looking at setting up a community tank eventually too but yes, these boys will steal the show

I figure if you are stuck to one fish in a tank... Better be a pretty one I've found toothless so fun too, he's got tons of personality, really loves to interact with us. They are fab little fish!

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Sorry, I don't know about grading in anything other than shrimp, but they're both beautiful!
Your new one is a real stunner though. If it helps, betta with shorter fins - like your new boy, are less prone to the fin damage and problems that a lot of the bettas with big huge fins tend to get. They can swim better without bigger fins creating a lot of drag, and long finned bettas are more likely to develop little micro tears in their fins, which can lead to bacterial or fungal infections and fin rot - very common problems with bettas. So while there's no guarantees of course since any fish can have those problems, you're still less likely to have those issues with a plakat than a crowntail or something.

As with any fish, pristine water quality is the main thing to keep them healthy. Regular, large water changes and testing for ammonia/nitrites/nitrates are key. Clean water reduces the chances of illness, and is also the best medicine when illness strikes. Hope you share more photos when he arrives, he really is a stunning fish!

 

[Retired Viking]

Very good looking fish

 

[ToothlessHades]

He's arrived! Meet Hades..
He's a fair bit bigger than toothless, even though he's a couple of months younger.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

He's arrived! Meet Hades..
He's a fair bit bigger than toothless, even though he's a couple of months younger.

Congrats! He's lovely! Gotta say, even though I don't usually go for fake decor, love the Jurassic Park one and the dino skull! Anything else Jurassic Park themed in there? I do like to see a nice themed tank!

 

[ToothlessHades]

Km

Congrats! He's lovely! Gotta say, even though I don't usually go for fake decor, love the Jurassic Park one and the dino skull! Anything else Jurassic Park themed in there? I do like to see a nice themed tank!

Just the skull and the sign, tanks on the smaller size so can't fit to many decorations unfortunately! Although sisters eyeing up the sign for toothless so Hades may lose that one!

 

[vanalisa]

Km

Just the skull and the sign, tanks on the smaller size so can't fit to many decorations unfortunately! Although sisters eyeing up the sign for toothless so Hades may lose that one!

I would keep the skull with Hades for sure, Toothless has longer fins. Both are gorgeous!
It only took me a second to see that the crown tail is quality fishery
Like velvet.

 

[vanalisa]

I'm not sure, but I think we have a contest coming up for FOTM, featuring Bettas. Either way you could enter either.
Wink wink

 

[ToothlessHades]

I would keep the skull with Hades for sure, Toothless has longer fins. Both are gorgeous!
It only took me a second to see that the crown tail is quality fishery
Like velvet.

Toothless is beautiful i totally agree, I was wary about the potential infection issues with the longer fins but decided to take the chance. Was really lucky with the price too, only paid £10 for him from a fairly large aquatics shop... Hades cost a fair bit more oops.... But really happy with both boys
I'll definitely enter them when it comes up!

 

[HoldenOn]

Crazy cool fish!