Friendly reminder not to buy bettas at chain stores.

Like the title says this is just a little reminder to buy your bettas from responsible breeders or dedicated fish stores. I went into petsmart today and there were 5 dead bettas and 3 who could no longer swim (one was thrashing on the bottom from trying to swim) and it was obvious that a couple had been dead for days. Now, if you can push and guilt them into releasing sick bettas to you, go for it! (If my tank were cleared out already I would’ve tried that). But DONT pay for the bettas! You may see a betta in a bad way and really want to save it but the more everybody buys them the more they order because the stores keep making money off them. They won’t stop buying them until they start losing money on these fish (either from death or adopting them out). If you buy a betta to “save” it, unfortunately it’s just opening a spot for another to suffer and giving them the money to order it.

 

Thank you for this. I am a new fish owner and didn’t think of this on my own which is surprising since I have been a big advocate of adoption or buying puppies from reputable breeders for years! Thanks again for your post!

 

As a general rule, this is a great idea, but in reality, it's sometimes really hard for people to get bettas from breeders.

 

It is a mixed bag, as long as you get a Betta for 4$ from a chain there will be customers purchasing the fish. I see a lot of members on this forum starting out not having the financial means to purchase from a breeder, so they are between the rock and the hard place.
I agree with the statement that rescue attempts by purchasing is just that, a purchase. But many of us are living on the emotional side of fish keeping, and we justify what makes us feel good.

 

As a general rule, this is a great idea, but in reality, it's sometimes really hard for people to get bettas from breeders.

I’m not sure about other countries but I know there are several US based breeders and betta stores that can ship. My favorites are betta squad USA (breeder in Texas) and prism bettas (import quality bettas and each betta gets their own filtered/heated 5g tank in the store).

It is a mixed bag, as long as you get a Betta for 4$ from a chain there will be customers purchasing the fish. I see a lot of members on this forum starting out not having the financial means to purchase from a breeder, so they are between the rock and the hard place.
I agree with the statement that rescue attempts by purchasing is just that, a purchase. But many of us are living on the emotional side of fish keeping, and we justify what makes us feel good.

I know what you mean, it is expensive to get bettas from breeders (but costs in the store are getting higher too, here it’s $20 for a half dead low quality betta at petco/petsmart). But personally I still think it’s worth it to save a bit longer, the bettas I’ve gotten from breeders have been larger and more resilient if I’ve had a problem with my tank vs pet store bettas. And I’ve definitely been there myself (but with rabbit snails), they were in bad condition but the store wouldn’t adopt them out so I bought them to “save” them. I really thought I did the right thing until I went back a month later just to see more in the same condition and most of the shells empty. It’s definitely between a rock and a hard place :/

 

I’m not sure about other countries but I know there are several US based breeders and betta stores that can ship. My favorites are betta squad USA (breeder in Texas) and prism bettas (import quality bettas and each betta gets their own filtered/heated 5g tank in the store).

I know what you mean, it is expensive to get bettas from breeders (but costs in the store are getting higher too, here it’s $20 for a half dead low quality betta at petco/petsmart). But personally I still think it’s worth it to save a bit longer, the bettas I’ve gotten from breeders have been larger and more resilient if I’ve had a problem with my tank vs pet store bettas. And I’ve definitely been there myself (but with rabbit snails), they were in bad condition but the store wouldn’t adopt them out so I bought them to “save” them. I really thought I did the right thing until I went back a month later just to see more in the same condition and most of the shells empty. It’s definitely between a rock and a hard place :/

Yes, I know about the breeders who ship, but there are also people who have bettas that can't have them shipped. (Parents won't let them, etc.) My mom was very adamant about shipping in the beginning.

 

The petsmart by me always has clean cups, bettas looking good, etc. Some stores in the chain will do a better job than others. Not necessarily the intention of the store. May be short on labor, etc.

 

I'd take a picture and then report them for animal cruelty.
enough complaints and they take action

walmart got rid of their live fish department because of public shaming

I ill say my local fish store improved dramatically from 2 years ago. I rarely find dead bettas now

The petsmart by me always has clean cups, bettas looking good, etc. Some stores in the chain will do a better job than others. Not necessarily the intention of the store. May be short on labor, etc.

there are some ppl who work there that are passionate about fish.

my last fish I purchased, they quizzed me to make sure fish (4 mollies) would be okay after left store. I was impressed.