I agree with the main point here: don't breed unless you are prepared & have done the research. We don't mind giving advice on breeding, just don't ask us something that if you were actually interested in breeding bettas, you would know by looking around and reading, even just a little bit. If you don't have the incentive to research many possible resources, and then ask some questions to verify what you don't understand. That's the responsible breeder's responsibility, and that is what the members of this forum are trying to communicate to those who don't want to do anything except have a little fun "breeding" bettas. Don't be mad for someone telling you something you don't want to hear, especially if you are talking to the public, and it seems like the members here aren't enjoying telling people this, especially not when they over react. Take the knowledge and advice from these people who have been there and done that, not just toss it off because it wasn't what your mind had dreamily constructed about having lots of beautiful bettas. People don't line up to buy VTs, so they aren't in demand in the world where people actually care and take on preserving and promoting the fishes overall conservation and development of a better betta. In reality, nothing about the current betta splendens, even the vieltails, are generated by nature, they are man's development. So, in a way, you are playing your own god with your own bettas and decisions you make regarding reproduction and survival of anything to come out of your betta. So, don't take on the idea and activity of reproducing the betta splendens lightly. If you are going to do it, do it in a way you are helping the species, not contributing to the problem of too many bettas unwanted. Alot of the number of fish you see go through your Petsmart and big chains buy from a wholesaler, where they purchase crates of fish even, most dying before they even hit pet store shelves, or in the new home of someone who thought they would like to try a betta as the walk past the displays at stores. They aren't that expensive to them or the store, and there is such a large quantity of them avaliable, you never hit the bottom of the barrell. It is a never ending cycle of death, and the VT is the main victim of this cruelty. Sorrell doesn't want you, or anyone else contributing to this problem. People are so worried about what someone says to them because it's not peachy keen, that instead of listening and being objective and considering another opinion they haven't thought of, they just forge ahead and say they want to try it, and they can find homes for the fish, that I'm sorry to say, you won't be able to sell. You must have alot of friends to think you could possibly find homes for up to several hundred bettas, or to think you could sell them to the LFS for more than a dollar or two.
If you want to get into breeding, than that's great. We encourage it, but only when handled by responsible people who have put in an effort to atleast find out all positives and negatives for them, and the fishs' lives that they are creating. You should be able to get you a decent pair to atleast start with, or to even attempt to see if it is a feasible hobby for you to pursue from another breeder in the States. Alot of IBC breeders have extra stock they don't sell because they are show quality, or are the lower quality stock they don't wish to breed into lines of fish worth hundreds of dollars. Some may have a price that is not bad for a pair, sometimes getting quality for $10 and up for a pair, or for free minus your shipping cost(unless you find a local breeder or IBC show to attend). These fish are still from a gene pool where you can know what to expect what you are getting, and you should be able to sell some of these fish, probably not for alot, around $5-$10 dollars, but a VT wouldn't bring you that in a million years(unless you have a excentric betta lover or an idiot). Others that don't sell you can give away, or even help other breeders like yourself starting out who don't want to invest alot of money to start off with in a breeding pair. You might have to wait longer than you want to get started the right way, but consider what you are doing, atleast for the sake of the fishies who didn't have a soul before you created their lives. They deserve good homes too, but atleast know you can provide for them if you do are going to do it, and not have to kill some of them because you couldn't find enough homes.
If you are interested, contact some of the members of IBC to find out if something is avaliable to you that wouldn't contribute to the betta in the cup plague that spreads throughout the United States of the chain fish stores. Also, if your LFS doesn't know those things about bettas, they are fish people, like was stated before, or atleast uneducated ones. Independantly owned LFS most of the time know about the newer tail types and desire them, but mostly only will trade you credit to their store. This is still a betta in a cup, that will most likely die on the shelf or as someones new impluse buy. You can contribute to charites, if you can locate one in your area, and is willing to do a fundraiser like that. Personally, I have never heard of people buying them from overseas to sell as a fundraiser. Who is buying them there? More impulse buys, or I guess it's just $5 bucks, even though I don't want the fish, I'll give it to my son; or it's just a fish, if I lose it, oh well, I didn't waste that much money.
Please, if you are a person who is sensitive to people talking to you who aren't your parents telling you things that you want to hear, then don't ask for a person's opinion, because that is what every statement on the forum is, just an opinion, or another side of the story. You should also learn to take constructive criticism in a positive manner, not biting back, or being rude to others who have taken time to try and help you, or atleast, the fish.
