Hello all,

what to look for when buying a Betta? I really don't want to buy one out of 'cup' but I don't ususally see them sold any other way?

Suggestions? It will probably be about 2 weeks till the tank is ready.

Also, water requirements? I see there's differences on temp, how about ph ? Should all other params be 0, like golds?

Water circulation preferences, etc.?

tanks,

S~

Some pet stores sell bettas that are kept in barracks, which are little compartments that hang in a larger tank. I don't see many stores with this set up anymore. You can get them online from breeders or places like Aquabid but be prepared to spend a fair amount of money. All my bettas have come from cups and I haven't had a problem.

Look for a fish that is active, it can be hard to tell in cups so I normally put them right next to another male to get them going. Normally a healthy betta will flare right up, spread his fins and attempt to kill the other. Make sure his fins are in good shape and he's got good color.

Bettas prefer a ph of 6.8 to 7.4. They do like warmer water, ideal is around 80 degrees but do ok with it a bit cooler.

Bettas do not like a strong current. Of course this all depends on what type of filter your using. If your using an air stone I'd suggest getting a gang valve and adjusting it so only a few bubbles come out at a time.

If you end up buying a betta in a cup ask the store to put it in a bag, that way you can float the bag when you get home.

Hope this helps,
Autumn

Autumn pretty much covered it

Just a couple things tho...

Slowly adjust the LFS water's pH to your own pH in a separate container with some hidy plants etc. Once the pH's are matched, net the betta and bring him to his home. Be careful not to bring any of the store water into his permanent tank. Bettas are sensitive to water params so make sure his tank is fully cycled before you buy him. His tank readings should be Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: under 25 If you are doing a fishless cycle before you buy him, be sure to do a 100% water change in the tank first.

You can float the cup in the tank, also. I always do.

Thank you!

The tank is cycled, it has golds in it now who are waiting for their 44 gallon tank
I will do water changes and cleaning and what not before makeing it Betta's home.

Great

Beta's are fabulous!

S`

Good luck with your betta! They are my favorites

Everyone gave some great advice! I tend to look for the ones that are more responsive - the ones that notice you when you look at them. Look for one that perks up a bit when you look into his cup.

EDIT: I just wanted to also mention, that its hard to judge their color when they are in the cups, they are usually pale from being stressed. A few days of being home with you in a proper home and their colors will really perk up a lot.

Yes, it can sometimes be surprising how much they can change in colour when they are brought home.

I once bought a pale mauve betta and he turned out to be a vivid magenta colour after a few days!

Also, I have found that my bettas have done well in a higher ph than recommended. My ph is 7.8 - 8 and they have done very well

When I bought my new girl, she looked completely white in the cup and when she got settled in, she got some pretty pink stripes on her tail.

I totally wasn't expecting to get a betta the day I got mine...I was going to get some tetras! All the bettas were in terrible yucky 1/2 evaporated water with a nice layer of poop on the bottom I felt so bad for them. They were all a muddy brown color. Then I saw Orchard looking up and me with his little white face and lopped over dorsal and I melted I took him home instead of the tetras and he was so scared in a huge 3 gallon for about a week and he hid in his cave the whole time. Then he decided to get to know me and he's such a happy little guy. He's also a dark red now that he's feeling better

Touchofsky, I have the same pH as you and Orchard's been doing fine too. Never use pH downers in your tank; it will do more harm than good. Most fish will do fine with a high pH if that is what you have, as long as it is stable.

That is how I got my latest betta. He was in a cup of very dirty water, looking very pathetic. I wish I could have brought home all of the bettas in the store that day

Yep, you all know how I got my Red!! Poor little guy had almost no dorsal fin at all..... he still swims a little lopsided, but I think its cute!