Picking A Betta Fish

I'm getting a betta fish in a bit from Walmart. Rescue Betta's! Anyways I'm not a master at picking out bettas which are in the healthiest condition.

Last time I picked out my betta my friend helped me but she isn't here. So can someone please explain to me how to pick a healthy looking betta? Thanks!

 

I'm not a betta expert but I can tell you what I did. First look at the fins, are they torn, ragged or have holes? You want full, healthy looking fins. Take along a small mirror, does he flare? This shows that he is at least healthy enough to follow his fighting instincts, but they don't all flare, he might just be laid back. If you see a cup with bubbles, that is him blowing a bubble nest which means that he is healthy and happy. Unhealthy bettas don't generally blow a nest. Does his body look full and muscular? This might tell you if he has an illness or parasite and that he is interested in eating even in his little cup.

Like I said, not an expert. Someone else knows a lot more about it than I do I am sure, but this is how I choose one.

 

Look for fin rot. It's common for bettas in cups.

 

The first thing I look for is intelligence. Does the fish take an interest in me as I am looking him/her over? (I have taken to favoring the females) Does the fish try to get me to notice him/her if I put the cup back and look at other fish?

Torn fins and other low level health issues can be dealt with in a hospital tank. But, it is of course nice not to need to do that.

 

I would just get whatever catches your eye regardless of how healthy they are. You said it right in your post save the bettas and I'm all for that. I don't care if they have no fins I would still buy him

 

I'm not a betta expert but I can tell you what I did. First look at the fins, are they torn, ragged or have holes? You want full, healthy looking fins. Take along a small mirror, does he flare? This shows that he is at least healthy enough to follow his fighting instincts, but they don't all flare, he might just be laid back. If you see a cup with bubbles, that is him blowing a bubble nest which means that he is healthy and happy. Unhealthy bettas don't generally blow a nest. Does his body look full and muscular? This might tell you if he has an illness or parasite and that he is interested in eating even in his little cup.

Like I said, not an expert. Someone else knows a lot more about it than I do I am sure, but this is how I choose one.

Thanks!

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Is he healthy?

Your Betta fish is absolutely beautiful!!!!

The first thing I look for is intelligence. Does the fish take an interest in me as I am looking him/her over? (I have taken to favoring the females) Does the fish try to get me to notice him/her if I put the cup back and look at other fish?

Torn fins and other low level health issues can be dealt with in a hospital tank. But, it is of course nice not to need to do that.

Yup! Thanks for the help!

 

I would just get whatever catches your eye regardless of how healthy they are. You said it right in your post save the bettas and I'm all for that. I don't care if they have no fins I would still buy him

I totally agree! When I get to an adult age and have the money for more tanks than two I'm definitely going to do that! Usually I go for the prettiest half healthy one though

 

I honestly don't feel like you'll find too many perfectly healthy bettas in a Walmart. If a fish shows personality, I'll get it in almost any condition as long as it isn't laying on the bottom. Torn fins, etc. is a very fixable thing.