What To Look For In A Healthy Betta

[brittgs]

My tank is coming along and now I am trying to decide where to buy a Betta and what to look for. I am leaning towards a crowntail. I have been to 2 local chain stores and 1 LFS and the Bettas look pretty pathetic in their little cups.  What do you look for to know if they are healthy?
 
I have heard about a terrific FS about an hour away and may take a drive over there on Monday to see what they have.  Or should I buy on line? I see lots of Bettas for sale on ebay but don't know if this is a good way to buy a fish.  Any thoughts?

 

[Ninjouzata]

I'd make sure they don't have anything physically wrong, such as shredded fins or ich. See if they respond to you when you come up.
There is likely more that I'm not thinking of, sorry. You'll also know when you see it that it's "the one"
 
I'd check the LFS that's an hour away, even if you don't get a betta there maybe it'll be a place you want to shop at in the future.
 
You could buy online, there are lots of lovely ones on aquabid. It's a perfectly fine way to buy a fish IMO, since fish in the shops also get shipped.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

I got mine at Petsmart, and I tapped on the cup of each one I liked and found my boy Phoenix. He was the most responsive one I liked

 

[attibones]

I always check for size when I go in for a betta. I want one that isn't too skinny or short. He needs to be of a decent size. Younger ones are smaller, but sick ones are too. I check from the bottom of the cup to see real size. I place males next to other cups to see who is going to flare. While I don't put males in with other fish, I'm not looking to see who is least aggressive, but I'm checking to see if a male would potentially go after his own reflection. I had one once who killed himself by ramming into his reflection so frequently. This is also a good time to check for fins. If I pick up a male who flares, I can get a good look at his fins to see how badly damaged the fins are. All of them show some damage, but I like to know how bad it is before I get one. I don't like to buy fish with rough fins because it means more work for me. I also check the bottom of the cup for any dropped scales. 
 
Once I have a few contenders, I check to see who looks at me the most and who is the prettiest!
 
When purchasing females for a sorority, I checked for aggression and size. My remaining female was one of the larger girls at the store, though smaller than the sorority at home, and didn't challenge or accept challenges from other bettas. She wasn't very pretty when I got her, but she's colored up nicely.

 

[brittgs]

Thank you for the replies. It is helpful to have some criteria.

 

[brittgs]

Here is the tank so far.  I think I went a bit crazy with the rocks so may remove some so it is not so crowded.
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

Tank looks cute! I think it could use a background, though. I see no issue with using the rocks if that is what you like, just make sure they won't fall down on your betta!
 
Have you cycled the tank following THIS, btw? Just wanting to check.

 

[AquaPit]

Hahaha! Crazy with the rocks!

You will know which Betta is for you! It will just come naturally!

Can't wait for your purchase and pics!

 

[brittgs]

Thanks Nin. I jumped started the cycle with some filter material from my 29 gal so I will soon be ready for s fish. I am going to test levels again tonight. The bigger rocks that make the caves have been silicones together. The smaller rocks which are on the gravel have not been. I will probably take some out just to see which version I like better.

 

[Wildbetta]

Just like when getting most other pets, you will look for a betta that looks and acts as healthy as possible.  Look at the fish's eyes to make sure they are clear and not bulging.  Look at the fish's gills to make sure they are not inflamed or infected with parasites like flukes (if you are able to see them).  Look at the betta's stomach, you do not want a very chubby betta or one that is very skinny.  Look at the scales - make sure you don't see anything that looks like dust, fuzz, or grains of sugar/salt.  With the fins, if they are damaged (which is often the case) look to see if you see any melting at the edges which would signify fin rot.  Since the betta will most likely be in a cold cup, don't be surprised if the fish's fins are clamped and the fish is lethargic.  Other than that, most bettas will choose you and you will know which one is THE one.

 

[brittgs]

Thanks Wildbetta. Makes sense to look at the eyes, gills and scales.  I will be going to the not so LFS this weekend to look at Bettas.

 

[GuppyGirl20]

Yea some of the ones at petco seem scary (their colors off and they just look like zombie betta [yikes!] ) but then there are some that are bright and really pretty. I always judged them on if they looked good (like if they are alert in their little cups and their color looks healthy). I got a baby betta today and they way I chose was which one responded the most to me. We just had a connection ^-^ (ah love). But that's also my method for how I chose all my pets (I'm a vibe-y person and I find for me it just works [for example when  picking a betta today there was this really pretty deep blue one but it just wasn't digging me like the one I bought]).

 

[snowflake311]

You want a Betta that is thick not skinny look at them from the top down and if it looks thin don't get it.

Put the Betta right next to another if it flares and shows off that's a good sign. If it sits and looks sad it's weak. But could be ok if kept in good condition.

Make sure you don't see anything weird on the body make sure eyes are normal and bright.

If it's a male bubble nests are a good sign. That means the fish feels good and is happy.

 

[brittgs]

Thanks snowflake.  I did check many Bettas and did get what I think is a healthy guy.  No obvious bumps, tears, white specs etc. When I narrowed it down to two I put their cups next to each other and they both flared so I was able to get a good look at the fins and tails.  I ended up picking the one that seemed most interested in looking at me.  Javier has adjusted well to his tank, follows me when I come close and is eating his pellets well.

 

[sawickib]

Pics?