Kylee
- #1
This isn't a question but just a rant about Petco. I've never been a huge fan of the chain itself, but the store in my town is as good as they get. Their fish are always healthy, reptiles are actually fed, etc. But then there are the bettas...
My first betta Gatsby (RIP ) was from Petco and he lived for about 2 1/2 years. He struggled with fin rot throughout his life and I partly blame it on where he came from. So it's definitely my fault for falling into the trap again.
I originally planned on ordering a betta online, but during a trip to the store to get fish food, I saw the cutest baby betta. I thought it would be so cool to raise a betta from the beginning, and I hoped it would increase the chances of a longer lifespan. The label said baby boy but nothing else.
When I got home I did a water change in the already established 10 gallon tank that was just waiting for a new betta. I added him to the tank and added a dose of melafix. He was doing great. A little timid, but by that night his color was already brighter and I could tell he was less stressed. I went ahead and fed him, then sat and watched him for awhile. He would see the food and swim to it, but then swim away. I was concerned but figured he was still a little stressed and turned his light back off for the night.
It took almost two days, but he is now finally eating. I did research on babies and realized they are more work than an adult betta. Which is where my rant about Petco comes in.
First of all, I know I should have done my own research on babies and not taken their advice, that is my fault. But they literally have a huge sign that says a baby betta is a great first pet for kids. That is so misleading and I'm sure causes so many unnecessary baby betta deaths. That sign shouldn't even be up. Also, there should be a separate care sheet for the baby bettas at least.
And second, do they even feed their bettas? I remember Gatsby wouldn't eat for the first day I had him, but I assumed that was stress related also. My new betta acted like he had never seen food before. He's just now understanding how to come to the surface. Has anyone else had this issue with a baby betta from Petco/Petsmart?
And lastly, plot twist, he's a she. After doing lots of baby betta research and seeing tons of pictures, I realized I definitely have a girl. And from the posts I've seen, this doesn't seem to be an uncommon Petco mistake.
I know this is stuff people say all the time but I just had to rant a bit. I really wish pet stores would stop selling bettas. And don't even get me started on Walmart still selling bettas.
On the bright side, she's doing great and is getting used to me. Her tank is Spongebob themed, so I named her Mystery (Spongebob's seahorse, it's a hardcore fan reference ). It's very fitting considering I have no idea what tail she is going to have. Can anyone else tell already? Ignore my tank, I'm in the process of converting to planted tanks!

My first betta Gatsby (RIP ) was from Petco and he lived for about 2 1/2 years. He struggled with fin rot throughout his life and I partly blame it on where he came from. So it's definitely my fault for falling into the trap again.
I originally planned on ordering a betta online, but during a trip to the store to get fish food, I saw the cutest baby betta. I thought it would be so cool to raise a betta from the beginning, and I hoped it would increase the chances of a longer lifespan. The label said baby boy but nothing else.
When I got home I did a water change in the already established 10 gallon tank that was just waiting for a new betta. I added him to the tank and added a dose of melafix. He was doing great. A little timid, but by that night his color was already brighter and I could tell he was less stressed. I went ahead and fed him, then sat and watched him for awhile. He would see the food and swim to it, but then swim away. I was concerned but figured he was still a little stressed and turned his light back off for the night.
It took almost two days, but he is now finally eating. I did research on babies and realized they are more work than an adult betta. Which is where my rant about Petco comes in.
First of all, I know I should have done my own research on babies and not taken their advice, that is my fault. But they literally have a huge sign that says a baby betta is a great first pet for kids. That is so misleading and I'm sure causes so many unnecessary baby betta deaths. That sign shouldn't even be up. Also, there should be a separate care sheet for the baby bettas at least.
And second, do they even feed their bettas? I remember Gatsby wouldn't eat for the first day I had him, but I assumed that was stress related also. My new betta acted like he had never seen food before. He's just now understanding how to come to the surface. Has anyone else had this issue with a baby betta from Petco/Petsmart?
And lastly, plot twist, he's a she. After doing lots of baby betta research and seeing tons of pictures, I realized I definitely have a girl. And from the posts I've seen, this doesn't seem to be an uncommon Petco mistake.
I know this is stuff people say all the time but I just had to rant a bit. I really wish pet stores would stop selling bettas. And don't even get me started on Walmart still selling bettas.
On the bright side, she's doing great and is getting used to me. Her tank is Spongebob themed, so I named her Mystery (Spongebob's seahorse, it's a hardcore fan reference ). It's very fitting considering I have no idea what tail she is going to have. Can anyone else tell already? Ignore my tank, I'm in the process of converting to planted tanks!

