What to Look For to Buy a Healthy Betta Fish
Tip! Adam Short is the owner of Betta Fish Center and co-wrote the above article with Amanda Fenton. Amanda has been caring for Betta fish for over 25 years.
Many of the betta fish available to buy at stores are already sick from being kept in unhealthy conditions. You'll have a better chance to find a healthy fish from a pet store than a convenience store. Your best chances would be to purchase one directly from a breeder, however. In any case, you want to choose a healthy fish to have the best start, giving it a good chance for a long life. Did you know that Betta fish can live up to five years? A fish that starts out sick, however, may only live up to six months after purchase. It's easier to care for a healthy fish than to revive an unhealthy one.
Here are the different aspects to look for when choosing your fish:
Tip! When it comes to betta fish, you will need to know that there are only a few things to keep in mind. First, you need to keep in mind the temperature.
Environment: Are the cups clean or are they full of dirty water? Is there a bad smell in the air? It could be from dead fish.
Color: Bettas are known for their vibrant coloring. Of course, there are variations that are pale or white. More likely, however, the dull color is a sign of stress or poor health.
Behavior: You want an active fish, floating upright, not spending too much time on the bottom. If a fish is motionless it could be sleeping. Don't tap on the glass as that will stress it out. Be subtle trying to get his attention.
Tip! You should never keep a betta fish in a small tank. Smaller tanks are harder to control.
Body: The body should be full and sleek, with no noticeable bumps. If it has white splotches it could have a fungus.
Fins: The fins should be free of wholes or tears, and spread fully instead of clamped together.
Scales: The scales should be flat and smooth. They shouldn't be loose or peeling.
Gills: Gills should be smooth, not red or stringy.
Eyes: The eyes should be dark and clear. They should not be bulging or sunken.
If something just doesn't look or feel right, pass on that fish and look at another one. It's good to trust your instincts. If there are many healthy fish to choose from, then go with personal preference.
You can use these same signs to watch the health of your betta fish after purchase. There are many resources on the web that you can find to increase the health and longevity of your fish. Put "Betta Care" in the search engine to get started. Good luck with your new fish!
Tip! 'The beauty about betta fish is that they don't need a large tank to survive, they can cope quite well in a small bowl with no requirement for a filtration system.' - Okay, I did pretty well on this one. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums. |
