My new Betta, and a frustrating story . . .

So I was at one of the local Big Al's here, and I was looking over the fish, (even though that's not what I was there for), and I came across a tank full of Betta imbellis. "Metallic blue" they called them (aka blue betta lol) with nice price of $8.99!

I was pretty surprised to see them all together, so I looked the species up on my phone and saw titles describing them as the "peaceful betta". HA. Yeah right. Half of them had really badly torn fins, some were hiding, and others were constantly darting out of the paths of the more dominant, larger males.

I think ** they were all males, but I only saw a handful flare with beards, but since they have plakat like in finnage, who knows.

I became really annoyed with the senselessness of the whole thing and called over a guy to help me. Before I let into my rant, I told the young guy, (who is also relatively new) "look, I know this is not your fault, and I am not taking it out on you, but . . ." lol
I pointed out how stressed they all looked, the shredded fins, the flaring, chasing, etc., and I said I was very disappointed with Big als, blah blah blah. . .

THEN I noticed in the front corner (partially blocked from view by the wood frame) a small blue betta pressed up in the corner, breathing a little to heavily. He then darted up quickly to gulp a breath, and not before he made it down was he chased and pecked by another.
I pointed this one out and said look, this one's going to die. I'm going to buy him so that doesn't happen.

Yes, I understand supply - demand, etc. However, I made my complaints, and they said they would inform the manager (a real jerk who I've dealt with before), since he was not in.

Well, I'll be back in today, to see what they have done for the bettas!!!! I also want to see if a slate blue butterfly HM is till there . . . (I have a problem). lol

Anyway, here is my rescue, and I think its male. He's a blue/mustard gas ... maybe dragon scale? His face/scales look like my red/white DSHM, but I don't know, these days I think every betta looks DS now lol. He is temporarily in a vase until I can move him into the 10 for QT. His fins are a little tattered and he seems large in the head compared to the rest of his body? But I think he will be gorgeous once he heals.
I don't know why, but just looking at the last pic, te name "Bishop" came to mind. Ok then, meet Bishop!

 

I'm sure he's much happier in a vase then being bullied Congrats on your new betta! Sometimes I have to resist the urge to look at the bettas, because then I want to buy them all, but I have enough on my hands for the time being.

 

keep us posted on his healing progress,(with pics!) I bet he's going to be a beauty!

 

That is soooo sad! Good thing you resued him. If his fins aren healing, you can give him stress coat. Hope he gets better!
betta ;D

 

Aww, how cute! He'll be feeling better in no time I'm glad he hasn't gotten into the condition of some of my store rescues-- *cough* Pity Purchases! *cough* --Oh, sorry. Must be catching a cold

Good luck with him! ^.^

 

Thanks everyone!

Kinez - I reeeally should stay away from the betta section!

I went back to the big als this afternoon, and well - I bought the one beat up boy that I almost bought yesterday, along with Bishop. They were all still together, still in bad condition. There are two more that look like they may not make it the next couple of days. *Sigh. I don't know what to do. It makes me sad and angry.

I also caved and bought the HM butterfly steel blue that I really liked lol. I am now at my limit.

Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure to post update pics. Until then, here are some pics of the new boys. The embellis seems to look worse in person, but you can see how beat up he is. He was one of the dominant ones too. Yesterday he was roaming around acting big, but today he looked like he was failing, hiding in the corners.
The HM was bloody expensive, 2x as much as the embellis, but I really loved him. Plus, I rationalized he might end up in a stupid "betta tank" and that was enough for me! lol

Well, here are the pics!

 

They're both so pretty!

Sounds like a good reason to buy them to me LOL

 

Anyway, here is my rescue, and I think its male. He's a blue/mustard gas ... maybe dragon scale? His face/scales look like my red/white DSHM, but I don't know, these days I think every betta looks DS now lol. He is temporarily in a vase until I can move him into the 10 for QT. His fins are a little tattered and he seems large in the head compared to the rest of his body? But I think he will be gorgeous once he heals.

.....................0.0 duuuuuuude. AWESOME!
They are Blue Dragon scales with yellow fins and dark edging. Technically not a MG but its close enough.

 

WoW, thanks SK! He looks JUST like that - only a little ragged! lol What a handsome boy! I can't wait for Bishop to look like that! That's one of yours?

Haha, I love your support Akari!

 

Lol, That's sol, my new baby. I was shocked when I opened the thread, I thought for a second someone was stealing my pics XD. Yours is a cutey too, you got some good shots of him, really shows off the blue and gold.