RunningWater

I am looking to get a prize betta fish, but I dont konw where to start. Google brings up many sites but something seems fishy(no pun intended) about many of them. I really would like to not get ripped off so any guidance would be greatly appreciated!!! -- Nat

bhcaaron

I rencently came across BetaCentral.com

I don't know anything about them. But, if anyone in the forum that sees this and knows about it, could you please post?

Running, you may want to contact them and go from there.

Chief_waterchanger

www.aquabid.com

The best quality usually come from Thailand.

It costs for the transshipping from thailand to a transshipper in the USA. (we spent $5 per fish on this when we got bettas.)

It costs for the transshipper to ship them to you. (we paid $40ish)

Plus the fish cost of anywhere from $10-$40 normally. So a prize betta would run ya about $55-$95, if you ordered it from thailand (again, that is where, I believe the best quality bettas to be coming from right now.)

COBettaCouple

yea, i'd agree and we've talked with a transhipper here in Denver about the Bettas coming in from Thailand.

bhcaaron

What did you find out COBetta?

Yuni

Theres also Faith from Bettatalk, she has all kinds of strains. I've never bought from her/ordered any fish over the internet but she seems trustworthy She was also on Animal Channel. You'll have to check her out, alot of good advice on care of Bettas ^.^

bhcaaron

So what is a good aquabid, Thailand breeder? (screen name)

COBettaCouple

She was really friendly and I think a lot of (if not all) of her bettas come in off of Aqua-Bid auctions. She doesn't live too far away, so we could go over & pick up Bettas, save the overnight shipping.

bhcaaron

How does that work, by the way? Is it all one package deal? Or, do I have to find my own transhipper and pay separately?

COBettaCouple

when bettas ship from thailand, they send them at set dates in huge numbers for lower shipping costs. In the US, a transshipper is required to pickup the fish at the airport to bring them into the US. Then the transshipper ships thems overnight to the people who bought them.

bhcaaron

But do I have to pay separately, having to find my own transhiper or is this all aranged when I pay the breeder as a package deal?

COBettaCouple

yea, the customer has to pay the shipping, both to the US and overnight within the US.. unfortunately the in-US shipping is the biggest part of the cost of a Thailand Betta most of the time. Transhippers are only in a few large cities like LA or Denver. The auction seller should have it arranged what transhipper the betta goes to in the US.

bhcaaron

Perfect, thank you. I read of this one breeder that he uses a transhipper in Texas. Unfortunately that means that the fish will have to travel further and then back to me. Oh well, so long as its on a plane I guess it will still be the same amount of time.

COBettaCouple

yea, usually an auction will tell you where in the US that the Betta will go.