Rescue Bettas

[Amanita.m]

Hmm...my Walmart Betta, who was half dead when I got him, may not be fancy with prime "genetics" but in return for my "pity", he is now a beautiful (in my eyes) happy fish building bubble nests and displaying lots of personality. I DID complain about the way they are keeping them, but since it is obvious that Walmart doesn't care if they live or die (he was the healthiest looking one they had!)perhaps there is something to be said for compassion for an individual living creature. I don't think many people were buying these poor gray fish lying on their sides in wee cups with less than 2 inches of blue medicated dirty water. No way he would have lasted a month under the conditions this place was keeping him...not interested in breeding him. Just...wanted him to be happy.

 

[OldMan47]

If you have a fish that you enjoy for his own characteristics, not from pity, it is not substandard by the only criteria that I recognize Amanita. I have no real affinity for people who claim genetic superiority, my criteria is simple. Would you buy that fish from a well established and thriving environment? If so, it is a fish you should go ahead and buy, if not, it is a cull, at least to you.

 

[Amanita.m]

Well see that's the thing, when I got him he was lethargic, a sickly grayish hue, fins a bit tattered, and he wouldn't eat for days. In no way would I have gotten him there and then for any reason other than compassion, because in that state, he was NOT an attractive healthy looking fish. I wasn't even sure he'd survive...after a month of love and care and a 5 gallon tank, he is beautiful, healed, eats like a piggy, is full of personality, with an amazingly sweet and docile temperament for a Betta. Had I known how he was going to turn out, I would have SOUGHT him out. It's hard to tell how a Betta kept in crap conditions will turn out once they are treated right. I took a chance, out of pity? Maybe...but I am soooo glad that I did!

 

[pablothebetta]

Just wondering lilfishie, how do you get your fishes fins to re-grow so nicely? I've had trouble with my bettas fins for months now - first the ceramic media in his old BiOrb home and after that they just seemed to dissapear without any real reason. He usually gets weekly 30% or so water changes with relatively good water quality (though nitrates are relatively high in my tapwater so the tank usually has more than enough of those). No signs of rot, tailbiting or anything like that either. Any tips on getting them to regrow? I believe I did a post about it a week or so ago if you wanted pics

 

[lilfishie]

i had a mystery wipe out in my tank sadly lost them all to it and all my imported bettas

 

[Amanita.m]

Oh noooos! That is terrible lilfishie! I am so sorry that happened!