Went into the small lfs for some reptile noms and stupidly looked at the fish. They had a tank full of female bettas in with some CAEs and an RTBS. Some of them looked OK, albeit small and stressed, but four of them were just awful. Hiding away, absolutely tiny (between 0.8-1 inch) and really thin. One of them is so skinny that I can see all the bones of her skull! Sh's lost her caudal fin as well 
I should have ripped the manager a new one and left the bettas but they came to see me and I couldn't leave them. Got the four of them for £6 which is a total rip off but they were £2 each and I got the smallest one free. BAD ASSAYE!
The guy actually asked me if I had a filter and heater (as I bought them a new tub as well). I can't believe he cared given how much of the state he let his stock get into. Fair enough if they came in like that from the breeder and I know he couldn't do much about how young they were but putting them with CAEs and RTBS and not giving them any special care given how tiny and sickly they were! GAH!
Anyway. Got the four of them in a 12 litre critter keeper with loads of cabomba. They've eaten like pigs and are busy exploring the tank. I can see their colours starting to come through (as they were pale as death in the shop). Looks like I have a dark blue, a light blue and two reds but we'll see when they settle in. They are so tiny!
I don't have a filter in the tank so I hope they'll be OK. Totally prepared for the daily water changes but I might pop one of my little filters in there as I have a 6 gallon that runs two filters. Given it only has a betta and two ADFs I'm sure it'll cope.
Will get some photos when my phone has recharged.
Not sure what to do about the shop. Should I write/phone in and complain? I feel I should but it's the best place for me to get reptile food from so I don't want to sour my relations with them. ARG!
I should have ripped the manager a new one and left the bettas but they came to see me and I couldn't leave them. Got the four of them for £6 which is a total rip off but they were £2 each and I got the smallest one free. BAD ASSAYE!
The guy actually asked me if I had a filter and heater (as I bought them a new tub as well). I can't believe he cared given how much of the state he let his stock get into. Fair enough if they came in like that from the breeder and I know he couldn't do much about how young they were but putting them with CAEs and RTBS and not giving them any special care given how tiny and sickly they were! GAH!
Anyway. Got the four of them in a 12 litre critter keeper with loads of cabomba. They've eaten like pigs and are busy exploring the tank. I can see their colours starting to come through (as they were pale as death in the shop). Looks like I have a dark blue, a light blue and two reds but we'll see when they settle in. They are so tiny!
I don't have a filter in the tank so I hope they'll be OK. Totally prepared for the daily water changes but I might pop one of my little filters in there as I have a 6 gallon that runs two filters. Given it only has a betta and two ADFs I'm sure it'll cope.
Will get some photos when my phone has recharged.
Not sure what to do about the shop. Should I write/phone in and complain? I feel I should but it's the best place for me to get reptile food from so I don't want to sour my relations with them. ARG!
