Found Day That Lfs Brings New Bettas In. . .

[GuppyGoddess]

One store by me brings bettas in on the same day every week, so I know which day to go in for a "fresh" betta. A book I read said never buy fish that same day because if they are carrying a disease it may not be apparent until a week or longer.

Questions: wouldn't it be that the longer the betta is in a cup at the store, the more likely they would become sick via ammonia poisoning or neglect? Wouldn't be better to adopt the fish right away under the assumption that the breeder kept the fish in water with less ammonia? I could quarantine ONE betta at a time with my 2-gallon bowl (which I would change out and lessen the ammonia the fish is exposed to) until I know it's fine. . .but, I do need more than one additional female before putting any in with my current one b/c she is a flarer and don't want them to bicker. I also do not want to buy another 2-gallon to quarantine a third betta to also check on that.

Thoughts?

 

[Rezatii]

If you have the ability equipment and time to quarentine each fish individually then I see no problem with it, personally I would wait 24 hours before purchasing the fish as you never know how LFS's have acclimatised their fish and there is a fairly high chance that if the fish hasn't travelled well, he'll die in the first 12-24 hours.

-Rezz

 

[natalie265]

Riskier, yes, but on the other hand, then you get first pick!

 

[kelly528]

Bear in mind a few stores will 'hold' fish while you throw together a tank.... just don't tell them you're waiting to see if he'll drop dead

On a different note, bettas typically tend to get a little green around the gills before they get all out sick... so the mangy, lethargic ones (not the first to go, as you would assume) are most likely getting ill. Furthermore, most ill bettas suffer from fin rot, something that will progress the longer they are in that filthy cup. Another huge factor is fin-curling from poor water quality-- unlike fin rot, this is not reversible and often seen in 'cup' bettas that have been around for a while. Don't forget--- many fish stores (in North America at least) guarantee the fish for at least 24 hours.

So because of their unique husbandry in pet stores, I would have to say that a betta is one fish you would most definitely not want to wait to buy. I know I wouldn't!

Oh and by the way-- you should be able to QT them in pretty much anything that can hold a few gallons of water... tupperware, rubbermaid bins, bowls, vases, jars...