Betta From A Lfs Or Breeder?

[nessar]

Well I saw three bettas in my lfs today - and all three were in with other fish. One was with tetras, one with other brightly coloured fish and shrimp, and one with a mix of fish.

None seemed to have any problems with their tankmates, they had lovely whole fins and didnt seem bothered by the other fish.

This confused me rather after reading about tank mates on here and lead me to wonder whether bettas bought from an lfs (it was Pets at Home) and kept in this way would be more sociable and if I would be able to keep them with fish like platties and maybe guppies? I realise that these fish are usually off limits for a tank with a betta.

I was thinking that part of the agressive nature of some bettas might be down to the fact that (if from a breeder)they have spent their whole lives in isolation with no chance to get used to other fish and therefore just do not like sharing. A bit like a spoilt child that suddenly gets a little brother/sister perhaps and acts out?

The thing is I would prefer a halfmoon or rosetail or something along that line, but the lovely bettas in the lfs were veil tails.
However if it meant I could have other, colourful fish as well in my community, well that would be better.

Any thoughts on the subject? I'd like to hear them

 

[Kekmet]

I'm sure you'll get no end of comments denouncing the lfs, but in the end... it depends on the fish itself. Some bettas are really laid back and will do fine in a community tank, even with a fish that's generally not recommended, some are little monsters or get bullied constantly. If you do put a betta in with a community, make sure to have a back-up plan in case things go pear-shaped... like an extra tank for the betta, and that there's plenty of space and hiding places in the tank.

Ultimately I don't think where they're raised really makes a difference in their behavior and I think some breeders might hate the idea that lfs fish are somehow friendlier or more sociable, hehe. All of my bettas have been from the lfs, though, so I have no room to compare... they're all super friendly with their cory-cat friends but they were kept in those individual little cups, not a community tank.

 

[Assaye]

Well I saw three bettas in my lfs today - and all three were in with other fish. One was with tetras, one with other brightly coloured fish and shrimp, and one with a mix of fish.

None seemed to have any problems with their tankmates, they had lovely whole fins and didnt seem bothered by the other fish.

This confused me rather after reading about tank mates on here and lead me to wonder whether bettas bought from an lfs (it was Pets at Home) and kept in this way would be more sociable and if I would be able to keep them with fish like platties and maybe guppies? I realise that these fish are usually off limits for a tank with a betta.

Unfortunately, no. These bettas are usually only in these mixed tanks for a few days before they are sold and they certainly have not grown up with these fish. Most of the time they come in from delivery, are plonked in a tank and are sold before they have time to be damaged. You were probably just lucky to come in right after the delivery and see the fresh stock.

I was thinking that part of the agressive nature of some bettas might be down to the fact that (if from a breeder)they have spent their whole lives in isolation with no chance to get used to other fish and therefore just do not like sharing. A bit like a spoilt child that suddenly gets a little brother/sister perhaps and acts out?

Perhaps, but it is in their nature to want to be alone. You rarely see a neon tetra that doesn't like other fish - even if it has been kept as the only neon tetra for weeks or months. However, you frequently see bettas be aggressive to tank-mates. It's in their nature to be unpredictable and aggressive and until we learn to communicate with fish, it will stay in their nature. It's also in the nature of other fish to find betta fins rather irresistable.

The thing is I would prefer a halfmoon or rosetail or something along that line, but the lovely bettas in the lfs were veil tails.
However if it meant I could have other, colourful fish as well in my community, well that would be better.

You can always try it. I did. I think many of us have. Some people have great success with bettas in communities and for some people it is a total disaster. Some (like me) even have success turning into disaster.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

All my bettas were from LFSs who kept them in cups prior to sale. One place does have a community tank for their females, however, and I did plan to buy one from there until I look closely and realized one of the females had lost an eye and the others were pecking at her. Why did the LFS keep them all together? Possibly the attack was a rare occurance and that's why they thought it be safe to keep her with other bettas AND other fish or maybe it just happens all the time and they do not care!

My few attempts at keeping my betta in a 10-gallon with other fish has turned into disaster each of the three times = tried rasboras, playtys, and a sorority. Now she's *happiest* by herself.

 

[aly_starh]

Both!

As long as the Betta in the LFS is nice and healthy, i dont see why not.
I think we all go to betta breeders for variety tbh, as you dont really see different tail types in LFS's. They normally just have the standard VT.

If you want to breed bettas though its highly advisable to get them from a breeder so you know the Gene history.

 

[Haych]

I agree with Aly - depends if you want to breed or not.

I have LFS bettas, and breeders - and I have to say my LFS ones are much stronger. I recently lost Terry (from a breeder)and he was weak from the start.

And with community, ANY fish can be kept with a betta, as long as they both accept each other. I personally have never had any problems keeping a LFS betta in a community.

I did try one of my breeders boys in the community when I was doing a water change, and he hated it. He hid in the corner with stress stripes

 

[Honeythorn]

You'll get far more unusual colours and finnage from a breeder or importer, but the danger is they will be weaker from extensive inbreeding and line breeding to keep those traits that make them desirable. They will also be more expensive.

LFS bettas may not look so interesting ( unless you're lucky enough to have an lfs who sells good bettas with decent finnage and bloodines ect) but are equally as full of personality, cheaper and slightly more robust.

It all depends what sort of betta you really want.


I do think that those bought from LFS' are more well adjusted to tankmates than those from breeders or from stores who isolate them in cups. My lfs keeps theirs with cories mostly, with no problems. Being with other fish from the start allows them to get used to the movement and presence o other species, and so they are far less likely to see tankmates as a threat when in their own tank, since they are well used to seeing other fish around.

Those kept alone , in cups or who see only other bettas in the next tank, flaring all day long andwanting to fight, are logically less likely to be accepting of other species or tankmates, as they have never seen such things, will naturally be either afraid or agressive, and will want to be top dog ( well..fish) as per their basic nature.

Perhaps, but it is in their nature to want to be alone

Not true. The wild fish share their waters with many other species, and that insticnt remains in tank bred fish, the same as the urge to fight other males. Colours and finnage can be bred in and out, basic instinct cannot . It's simply in their nature to defend territory from other bettas or any fish acting in a threatening manner. Whilst naturally agressive, it's mostly to males of their own species rather than other species.


Either way, adding other tankmates for 1-2 weeks prior to adding the betta, and keeping the betta in a breeding net or show trap for a week before release into the main tank, will better allow him/her to see the tank and other fish, and become used to them being around.

I really believe careful planning ( as in, no impulse buying tankmates or a betta just because it's pretty and you think it might look nice ) and a proper time of adjustment and acclimation are the best ways to introduce a betta to it's tank and any tankmates you want t put with it.