How To Pick A Betta Fish

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Betta fish are beautiful aquarium fish, and they are also constitute in many homes. If you lot're thinking of getting a betta, there are many things to consider. Effigy out whether you want to get a betta from a pet store, breeder, or online seller. E'er inspect your fish first to brand sure it's healthy. You also want to go a betta that was raised in a clean, healthy environment. This increases the likelihood your fish will as well exist salubrious.

1. i

   Try a pet store. Bettas are generally easy to find in pet stores, as well as department stores that sell pets. In general, this is the quickest option to get a betta, as you can usually select and purchase a betta on the same mean solar day.

   • If you decide to go the pet store road, it's best to become with a reputable pet store that specializes in selling these animals only. Section stores, or large chain pet stores, may keep bettas in small containers and in poor conditions, making the fish more prone to wellness bug.
   • The all-time pet stores volition keep their betta in clean tanks, not tiny jars. They will also take a diverseness of dissimilar types of fish bachelor. Workers at reputable pet stores will be able to answer whatever questions you have about fish and fish care.

2. 2

   Look into breeders. Many people adopt to go to a breeder to buy a betta. Breeders mostly know how to breed the healthiest fish. Breeders can also exist more upstanding than pet stores, as they're dedicated to keeping fish in prophylactic, healthy conditions and finding responsible pet owners. It may take slightly longer to obtain a betta from a breeder, even so.

   • Run across if you can observe a betta breeder in your area. Yous tin look online or go on your optics open for ads in the local newspaper or at places like pet supply stores and vet clinics.
   • Unfortunately, you may be unable to go through a breeder if you can't observe one in your area. Non everyone has a betta breeder near to them.

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3. 3

   Consider buying a betta online. If you lot want a high-quality purebred betta, you can buy 1 online from a reputable breeder. Many breeders are willing to sell and ship their bettas online as long every bit you are willing to talk with them to verify yous volition exist a responsible owner.

   • Still, you lot are more than prone to scams when working online. Only buy from breeders who are willing to talk to yous and answer any questions you have in a prompt, professional person manner.
   • Make sure to select an online breeder who has been convenance betta for a long time. The longer someone has been breeding, the more than likely they are to brood quality fish.

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1. 1

   Inspect the size of the fish to see how old information technology is. Since bettas can live anywhere from five to vii years, if yous desire to maximize your betta's time living with you, you should try to observe a somewhat pocket-sized ane. Beware, equally baby betta fish have different needs and will die if you treat them every bit an adult. ^[i]

2. ii

   Await at the colors. Color is an indication of health for bettas. When examining a betta, look for a fish with bright, vibrant coloring.^[2]

   • Most bettas are brightly colored simply may have some pale colors filling in gaps between stripes and spots. Certain breeds of betta, such equally piebald and Cambodian bettas, are lighter in appearance, having a peach color.
   • Horizontal stripes tin be an indicator of sick wellness, but can too hateful that the betta is simply stressed. Avert getting a betta if it has horizontal stripes. Baby bettas accept juvenile stripes which look a lot like stress stripes. However, juvenile stripes are perfectly fine and exercise not indicate illness.

3. iii

   Examine the fins. Fins should be free of discoloration, affliction, or visible wounds. Clamped fins may exist a sign a betta is sick or the water condition is poor.^[3] Black, raggedy fins tin be a sign of fin rot.^[iv]

4. 4

   Check the gills. You want to cull a betta with salubrious gills. Both gills should open and close without trouble. If a fish is gasping for air, and ane or both set of gills is non opening and endmost, this is a sign of ill wellness. Cherry-red marks around the gills can likewise be a sign of poor health.^[5]

5. five

   Expect at the trunk. Y'all should quickly scan a betta'due south body before purchasing it to brand sure information technology'southward in good wellness. Make sure the betta does not have any obvious signs of affliction. A good for you betta will be free of the post-obit:^[6]

   • Missing fins
   • Lumps or bumps
   • Red streaks on the gills
   • A sprinkled common salt appearance
   • White, fuzzy patches (do not confuse this with normal coloration patches some have)
   • A distended belly
   • Raised scales

6. 6

   Examine the eyes. You want to make sure your betta has healthy eyes as well. Ideally, a betta should have articulate blackness optics. Milky eyes, silver or completely white eyes, bulging optics, or cherry-red circles around the eyes are all signs of poor health.^[7]

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1. ane

   Brand sure the fish'due south jar is clean. Pet store and breeder Bettas are usually kept in a small jar away from other fish. This jar should exist filled with fresh, clear water. The tank should besides exist free of debris from leftover nutrient. This could exist an indication a betta is not eating, which can exist a sign of sick health. Note: in one case you accept the betta home, you should put him/her into at least a ii.5 gallon or bigger tank with a heater and filter. Jars are not appropriate permanent enclosures. ^[eight]

2. two

   Take note of any foreign odors. If you lot detect whatsoever potent unpleasant odors, this is a bad sign. A betta'south tank should be relatively olfactory property-free. If you detect strong smells, this may be a sign of poor health.^[9]

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do you pick out a good betta fish?

  

  Craig Morton
  Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

  Craig Morton is the CEO of Aquarium Md Inc. based in Huntington Beach California and servicing Orange County, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire. With over xxx years of aquarium experience, Craig specializes in creating custom aquarium designs forth with aquarium installation, service, and maintenance.

  

  Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Md Inc.

  Expert Answer

  Inspect their eyes as closely you can. Their optics should exist clear, non cloudy. Make sure that their fins aren't tethered or damaged. If possible, feed the fish before taking it home. If information technology actively eats, it's a sign that it's a healthy, happy fish.

• Question

  My betta keeps flaring every few seconds. Why is this?

  

  Eduard Gallardo

  Customs Answer

  Your betta is but flaring at his reflection. It'south also a good sign that he'south healthy.

• Question

  Does the lifespan of a betta fish life depend on its environment?

  

  Aye, it does. Sometimes betta fish live for upwards to ten years, but usually when they are in captivity they only alive five.

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• If you observe a betta that is quite small (under an inch), information technology may barely be out of the fry stage. Don't selection these fish, as they're too young (unless you know how to take care of infant bettas). There are some naturally small bettas; this applies to standard ones found in stores.

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• While you can buy a sick fish in order to nurse it dorsum to health, this can encourage the store to keep the bettas in poor atmospheric condition. Buying one may not exist harmful, though.

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Article Summary X

To option a betta fish, look for a younger, smaller fish if yous want a pet that you can keep for a long time. Additionally, pick one with bright, vibrant coloring without horizontal stripes, which tin betoken ill health. You'll likewise want to examine the fins, which should be costless of discoloration, illness, or visible wounds. Also, look at the fish's gills, which should open and close with ease. To learn more, similar where to buy your betta fish, proceed reading!

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