I Got My First Plakat!

[*Bethie*]

Ok, yesterday we went to one of the LFS that has recently went under new ownership (This place improved by 100%, I can't get over the difference!!!), for some sponge filters. They are the only ones in town that has them. So my bf was looking at things and I was looking at the bettas and I found this beautiful plakat! I wasn't planning on buying a betta, but I HAD to bring him home. He's my first plakat! He's a beautiful blue/purpleish color. Unfortunately though, I don't have a pic yet because he keeps hiding! I've never had a betta hide like this one. Is this common behavior of plakats when you first get them? I mean, I do see him swimming around occasionally, but most of the time he hides. I've been trying to leave him alone, but I so want to look at him! I think he is such a beautiful fish. I've kept the light off and have tried to make him as comfortable as possible. Any advice or suggestions?

I'm really happy to have bought my first plakat! Also, he doesn't have a name yet, but I know I really can't ask for suggestions until I can get a pic of him.

*Bethie*

 

[juiced1300]

I dont know if others would agree but I doubt your that scary to the fish, besides the new enviroment they're pretty used to seeing people all day long and if anything you've been the most careful with him, so i wouldnt feel the need to hide from him. I've had a shy fish here and there and since I keep my aquariums in my home office where I work all day I think they get used to me quicker, figure out that i'm not here to harm them or pull them out of another aquarium. So i've found they warm up to me pretty quick. I think he just needs a little time to make sure whats going on, i mean who knows how many times he's been moved, bagged etc. I prefer to let them associate me with who gave them their new peaceful home.
I do have a question for ya, i saw your in WI and I'm in chicago, did you find him at a chain store? like petco/smart? I'd love to find one of those as well, but figured i had to buy it online.

~VinnY~

 

[*Bethie*]

Thank you for your reply! I am just thinking now he's shy, because he is starting to come out more now. I have him on my desk, if I could, I'd have ALL my bettas on my desk! LOL I just love to look at them all. I think he's just adjusting to his new enviroment, like you said.

As far as where I got him, I actually got him at a privately owned aquarium store. Sorry about that! But I have actually seen plakats at our Wal-Mart here, and in good condition. Otherwise, there's always Aquabid. I'm soooo addicted to that site! Sorry I couldn't help you more with that!

Thanks again for replying!

*Bethie*

 

[wendywc]

I love plakats! Congrats on having your first one; I'm sure you'll probably get more. I always see a few at Walmart too and always labeled wrongly as "female."

 

[juiced1300]

thats cool, thanks anyways. I have a couple private owned stores around here but none of them care to even stock bettas at all. One place is great for tropical plants and they dedicate a couple very large tanks that are brightly lit for just aquatic plants, so I go there a lot for plants for my community tank as well as balls of java moss etc, but they focus mostly on rare or high price fish, live rock, and coral. I'm not sure why they dont deal with bettas but they dont =(
the other store just doesnt want to bother with bettas, really odd to me considering how popular they are, sounds lazy if you ask me!
I'm gonna check out walmart, i just HATE that place lol.

 

[PoptartShop]

Aww congrats; I love PK's!!
Yay, I can't wait for piccies!

 

[faithless1294]

Congrats PK's are my favourite an lfs close to me usally gets a few young male pk's in with the females

 

[*Bethie*]

Isn't that the truth! LOL

Ok drumroll please... I GOT PICS! Wooooo hoooo! So here he is!

I do hope you all approve!

By the way, he is doing MUCH better now! He's not hiding much anymore, he's all out and about now. I guess he just needed a little extra time!

Edit: I forgot to ask, any ideas for names? He's still nameless.

*Bethie*

 

[*Bethie*]

C'mon, I got pics and no-one has input? Now I KNOW you guys have opinions.

I decided to name him Sparta. He has SUCH personality! My bf put his finger in ther last night and he bit it! LOL He's also very inquisitve about his snail. As long as he doesn't eat it like my older female, Pearl did! (Yeah THAT one was a shock and a half!)

This one is quickly becoming my favorite. I think I've been bitten by the plakat bug!

*Bethie*

 

[millym]

nice looking guy.glad to hear hes settling in & not hiding anymore

 

[jess6905]

hes a cutie. he looks like my first plakat frank same color sparta is just a bit darker.

 

[PoptartShop]

Awww he's so cute!
Very nice!

 

[*Bethie*]

Thanks guys! He's doing very well. It's nice to beable to SEE the little guy now! LOL

To me he is looking slightly bloated, so I gave him a pea last night and I think I will not feed him today. Yeah, the little piggy will hate me for it, but better to nip it in the bud! Other than that, he's doing very well! He's very active now.

*Bethie*

 

[devon_charm]

Wow its so nice to see PK's in different colours he's a stunner i don't blame you for having to get him i would have too

 

[*Bethie*]

Thank you!

It's funny too, cause I thought I would NEVER get into plakats. So far, I've gone for the fancy finnage. But I saw this guy and had to have him, and now I'm hooked! No betta is safe! *cackles evilly* LOL

*Bethie*