Betta Healthy?

I rescued a betta fish while shopping for some filter floss at walmart today. Impulsive I know.... New to the hobby. She was the only one of about 9 that was active and curious when I approached. Labeled as a female betta I assume that walmart doesn't actually know what the sex is but that's okay with me. I was more concerned about how nasty the water was and how bad some of the fin rot cases were

So anyway she was active and when I got home she ate readily (put her in a large vase with some pothos and will do daily water changes until I know she is healthy to add to a divided 10 gal). But looking at her up close under good light I see some strange white spots on both gills. It could be ich but I thought it would be on the body and not confined to gills?? It is on both sides and forms a band under her chin (???). ALSO her stomach looks kind of greyish and I can see her ribs. I bought her knowing that she may not survive long but I would really appreciate any advice on helping her back to health! Active swimmer so it was hard to get a picture.

 

Walmart... this is not the first time I have heard horror stories about fish being kept in a Walmart store

I am not sure what the white spots are, but there are others here that will know. I like your new Betta's color, very pretty fish. Other then the white spots she looks very healthy, and I am sure very happy to have a good home.

I once saw a very creative way to keep a Betta and it was in a office of all places. On one wall on a shelve set a long glass box open at the top with Ivy roots growing in the water inside the box. I didn't see the Betta at first, and was just looking at the Ivy when there it came swimming through the roots. I am not doing it any justice trying to describe it here but it was cool. But there was only one problem with the idea, Bettas are known to jump out.

 

She's an albino betta

Possible ammonia burn, clean water is the best medicine. Rather than keeping her in the vase to recover she'll do better in a heated and filtered tank. Don't keep her with a male betta even with the divider.

 

She's an albino betta

Possible ammonia burn, clean water is the best medicine. Rather than keeping her in the vase to recover she'll do better in a heated and filtered tank. Don't keep her with a male betta even with the divider.

I figured she was albino but I've also heard some will change color as their stress levels go down.

I assume she can't be housed with a male despite the divider because of hormones?? She will be fine with a female on the other side though right? Thank you very much I was worried she would die overnight or something crazy.

Walmart... this is not the first time I have heard horror stories about fish being kept in a Walmart store

I am not sure what the white spots are, but there are others here that will know. I like your new Betta's color, very pretty fish. Other then the white spots she looks very healthy, and I am sure very happy to have a good home.

I once saw a very creative way to keep a Betta and it was in a office of all places. On one wall on a shelve set a long glass box open at the top with Ivy roots growing in the water inside the box. I didn't see the Betta at first, and was just looking at the Ivy when there it came swimming through the roots. I am not doing it any justice trying to describe it here but it was cool. But there was only one problem with the idea, Bettas are known to jump out.

Honestly walmart has no business selling live animals!! I thought my local petsmart was bad....

That sounds like a really pretty tank but yeah my worst fear is waking up one day to my fav crowntail female (Rosie) all dried up on the floor!!

 

Honestly walmart has no business selling live animals!! I thought my local petsmart was bad....

That sounds like a really pretty tank but yeah my worst fear is waking up one day to my fav crowntail female (Rosie) all dried up on the floor!!

I live out in the country, hence the handle countryrain, and the closest town to where I live has a small Walmart that has a few fish supplies, but they don't sale live anything. So I don't have much experience with Walmart fish. I have seen them in a Walmart, along time ago, but not here, at the time I didn't pay it much attention.

 

Those spots are just colouring on her gills. She isn't albino, as those bettas are blind and instead she's what's known as a cellophane betta. They don't have any colouring and their fins are clearish. Bettas with no pigments can have their insides seen more easily and it's normal. She looks perfectly healthy surprisingly and she should be kept in clean water just in case. Yes she can go in a divided tank with another female betta. No males though because males will release hormones that trigger her to create more eggs for mating and when she doesn't mate, she gets eggbound.