Presenting>>>>

[corykitty516]

New Babies!!!!! I've actually had them about a week but I havent been able to take their pics yet. I had them in my homemade isolation barracks for the first few days and they dont photograph well in there.
I got them for $2.99 (US) each at a fish store across the river in GA. I wasnt impressed with this store in general ... betta's in small cups and such *sigh* ... I will say that the cups were at least clean.
anyway... I have divided 2.5 gal. My veils are great neighbors in these but the new crownies wont stop trying to fight so I had to separate them entirely. Tomorrow I'm off to the LFS and the craft store for more plastic canvas and some silk plants to make a screen. *sigh again*

So here is Orion ... I like to name them for mythology characters

And Atlas

Here is a better look at Atlas' tail

OK so honest opinions everyone .... Do you think these would be suitable top breed if I can find some CT females?? I really feel that I should NOT breed stock that I dont know where it came from .... I feel like its like breeding a dog that came from a pet shop ... at least in the dog world that is really frowned upon.
I'm going to my first breeder's association meeting this saturday and may be able to get a pair of HM (at least HM geno) from a breeder there and another member may have some CT females.
So what you you EXPERIENCED folks think

 

[sandig]

Wow...they are beautiful....enjoy them!

Sandi

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Well, not being an experienced breeder, I will not comment on the end part.

However, I think that those are very beautiful fishies and I am still envious of other people who a) can get these fish and b ) can get the for cheap.

Nice finds.

 

[splashluff]

Those are some smecksi boys ! 2.99? OMG, lucky!

Ok... I'm not at all experienced, but I think they're gorgeous boys! Atlas especially has beautiful finnage and his color really pops. I think a big part of it is finding an equally nice female, having the resources and time needed for up to 300 fry, and being in a club or a position where you can sell them and you have a lot of interest in babies. I'm also a TOTAL dog person, and I've found that dogs and Bettas aren't exaclty comparable... even though I'm also like you, comparing breeding pet store Bettas to pet store puppies. Dogs are soo different in soo many ways, what with the health concerns (as 99.9% of pet store puppies have parents that have had NO health or temperament testing), having your puppies end up dumped in the pound, the huge over-population of puppies dying in shelters, etc.

basically, do what you feel is best. You obviously care about the Bettas and are knowledgable. CTs are typically MUUCH easier to place in homes than VTs, of course, and you can predict what the color and type of the babies will be.. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest. I admit I'm even interested

 

[mm_simb]

Your boys are gorgeous
I'm not an experienced breeder but I really wouldn't agree with breeding a betta that I didn't know where it came from if it were me...but at least they are not VTs which is usually the problems with store bettas. So I say do as you wish

 

[Saucy]

Yeah, I wouldn't breed them. You don't know how old they are or what their backgrounds are. Definitely wait for something you GET from a breeder first. They are absolutely gorgeous, though!! Congrats on the steal!!

 

[corykitty516]

Yes .... I've decided to just use the betta's from the IBC breeders I'm meeting this weekend instead of these for my first spawn. I love them at pets though

I'm going to need some new shelves I think
At least I have a dedicated fish room now so I have the space and the time.

I've been reading through the pinned posts for months now and doing tons of research so at least I'm mentally prepared.