Bettas: Good Story

[xocharxo]

Hi folks. Today, me and my friends (change that, my friends and I- too much english class- lol :) ) were at the mall today. We passed the little "Crabby Buddies" booth cart stand type thing,where I got my first hermit crab. I looked around, and suddenly saw bettas! They were so interesting, I don't necessarily think they are "cute" but they're odd balls in a sort of cute way- lol. Well, I knew my mom would hit the stack (shes really not that mean, just about bringing home animals on impulse, like my dad and I did with Muffin, the puppy) if I brought home another animal. I asked the lady there if they were bettas and she said yes. They were just so "wow!"- I couldn't believe it. They came in a little glass case- I don't really know how to do estimates in like inches and stuff, but probably like, 6 7 or 8 inches by 6 7 or 8 inches, with some little plants in there. I also asked her if they had a health guarantee, and she said yes. Well, to say the least, I was quite intrigued by this fascinating little fish. I questioned her about keeping the fish together- and she said what I thought was true- only one betta per aquarium. My friend who has fish, but no hermit crabs, was looking at the hermit crabs, they were so so cute. After like 2 hours later, my friend and I could not take it anymore. She called her dad to see if she could get a hermie, and all he said was no. As you may have heard in the past, my dad is a total softie, so I decided to call him. This time, the softie spell had obviously worn off. However, I was very precautious and you might say "skillful" in my ways going about trying to get a betta. When he picked up I said in a little baby voice, but mature at the same time, so that he wouldn't suspect anything "Hey daddy.Me and my friends passed this store, rite? And I saw something so so cute! I kinda wanted to know if I'm allowed to buy it." He then replied "What is it that you want honey?" "Its really cute" "Charlotte, honey, what is it?" "Its really really cute" "Sweetie, just please tell me what it is" "A betta fish" "A what fish?" "Betta" "Oh, well honey, we have our hands full right now, so maybe another time". I then began to fake cry which had my dad in stitches, he didn't know what to do. He finally made a compromise with me, he said that MAYBE we would take a look at them tomorrow. I asked my mom and my mom said no, not at the time. I can kind of understand. By the way, do you think $29.99 is a good price for one betta, one 6 7 or 8 by 6 7 or 8 aquarium thingy, one strand of plant in the aquarium thing, and a little paper pamphlet on how to take care of your betta fish is reasonable? Please let me know what you paid, and if its a good deal or not? Oh, by the way, I didn't end up getting a betta, but I did end up getting something much cuter. I was in Gloria Jeans Coffee Bean with my friends, and I saw the cutest dog bowls. The ones on the bottom were dark purple and blue and navy and maroon. The one on the top was just an eye catcher! For $20.00 I got a Dogzilla bowl, too adorable! The dog in the middle of it looks exactly like Muffin. Too cute! lol :) And while some people may think that twenty dollars is a little steep for a dog bowl, its ceramic, hand painted, and the man at the store said that pattern just came in yesterday! :) lol- So, even without the betta, I'm one happy camper! lol :) One tip: When you find yourself on impulse about buying an animal, think about this first: Get a little token your animal at home would use first, and then think about getting that pet. I've thought about the bettas a little, but I'm just so impressed with the dog bowl, thats its totally distracted me from the bettas, and how I wanted them, and its also led me to see my dogs little smiles about how they're so happy with their new bowl.

[Roz]

I would say $29.99 is too much for that little, unless the Betta is show-quality. Any idea what kinds of Bettas they had? Some are worth more than others. Most Pet Store Bettas cost anywhere between $2 and $4. You can buy a little tank that holds a gallon of water (it's bigger than those containers the Bettas you saw were in) for about $7. You can buy some fake plants for a couple of bucks or some real ones for about the same, depending on the plant, and some types will repopulate so you don't have to buy more.

Male bettas are usually more expensive as well, since they're "better looking." They're often more colorful and have longer fins. You cannot put two together. But you can put a male betta in with other fish...it just has to be the right kind of fish.

Female bettas can live together, though perhaps not all. Some are very aggressive, like the males. But most live in community tanks all their lives and aren't too aggressive.

[xocharxo]

Thanks so much for the advice! :)

[Roz]

You're welcome :)

[HeatherP]

Here is a quick helpful tip.. never put a betta in with a fish the looks like a betta of the opposite sex... you are just asking for your betta to kill the other fishie for not trying to make babies with it.. my female bettas have killed all my beautiful stupid guppy males (they had such pretty tails!!). Male bettas tend to go after molly type fishies or anything that looks like a female loaded with eggs. Saves money and time from scooping out the poor dead defensless fishies. :)