Where To Buy A Betta

[Mauricia]

So I had a Betta for about 4 years before he died in the fall , so I'm thinking of getting a new one since I miss having one around. He had been bred by a friend of mine, but I no longer live anywhere near her and she doesn't ship her bettas. Where have people here bought bettas? I'm reluctant to buy one from meijer or walmart because I don't support their mistreatment and I'm also wary that one of those bettas would live very long after being in those conditions. The LFS bettas are kept in little containers too, although there are only usually four or five of them so I imagine they have faster turnover and they're probably properly fed, as the LFS is pretty decent (not perfect, but they certainly don't abuse the fish). Do people think it would be safe to buy one of these fish? Should I go for mail ordering one instead? Is it worth spending the money for a mail order betta if I'm not planning on breeding? I just want a healthy and spectacular looking betta. Also, does anyone know any way of finding out if there are any local breeders that wouldn't require mail order? Is there a directory or something?
Thanks, sorry this is so long.

 

[afireinside]

It is safe to buy fish from anywhere (as long as it doesn't have disease, that is unless you want to cure it). In all honesty, Wal-Mart will keep getting more bettas the moment they die, so your actually doing the bettas in Wal-Mart a favor by rescuing it (which I may do soon, but I don't think my Wal-Mart stocks bettas anymore). LFS's are generally a safe bet.

Online is also a good choice if your look for something in particular, but remember shipping prices are tacked on and you could have a DOA.

 

[Mauricia]

I just don't want to buy from wal-mart as sort of a personal boycott, the ones at the wal-mart here are in dreadful conditions, dirty bowls, barely enough water to cover them, and some are even on their sides. If people didn't buy fish from places like wal-mart they may stop stocking them.
That's a good point about the DOA, does anyone have a rough idea of how common this is? Perhaps I'm just not impressed with the bettas at the LFS, they're beautiful of course, but nothing as spectacular as some of the pictures I've seen on here.

 

[afireinside]

There is no way to determine probability for a DOA. You could have the best shipping and still get it.

 

[Phoenixbaby]

try looking on aquabid

there are stunning bettas, and also some good breeders with very nice bettas

good luck

 

[apple king my betta]

you could buy one at petco or pet smart there ment to be good are't they? i wouldent know coz im from the uk

sorry for any miss spelling only in 4th grade

 

[Davehutton92]

you could buy one at petco or pet smart there ment to be good are't they? i wouldent know coz im from the uk

sorry for any miss spelling only in 4th grade

the original post was in 2008 i doubt there still looking lol

 

[Hmongol]

Everywhere you go you will see small container. Its practically indebted in all fish store. You just have to live with it.

Everywhere you go you will see small container. Its practically indebted in all fish store. You just have to live with it.

 

[Whisper]

Petco takes better care of their fish than Petsmart but one factor you should look into is to buy from the place that keeps their Bettas in water that is the closest pH to what your tap water pH is (assuming you will use tap water for them). This way you can slowly adapt them to the new pH and the less the difference the easier it is on adapting them.

That said, if you take your time, and I mean a few days, you can adapt them from 6.8 all the way to 7.8. Just try to never exceed a .3 pH change per day.

 

[Dav]

The thread was posted in 2008!!!!!! It's over I'm sure they have a very nice betta by now

 

[Fishy friend2]

I wonder what it looks like

 

[Whisper]

The thread was posted in 2008!!!!!! It's over I'm sure they have a very nice betta by now

Funny response. LOL!

The thread does ask a good question and the responses may be helpful to newcomers to the site.