Where To Buy Bettas From?

[MemoryLane]

Hello. I'm Olivia, a new member from Michigan. I've just started keeping bettas since last year, and unfortunately due to the size and location of my town I can only buy fishes from either a major chain pet store, a supermarket or a privately-owned pet store that is just too far. I've bought and lost my last two Betta splendens from the chain pet store, and now I've decided that I'm going to stay away from that place like a plague. Too many of their stock is either ill, dying or already dead whenever I come visit. I thought I could always nurse them back to health, but apparently I can't make them live long. I tried googling about online pet stores (e.g. liveaquaria.com) but I've read more reviews saying "all/some of the livestock died" than "the livestock lived a long, healthy life". Then there's this woman saying that "no matter what fishes will die when shipped because of stress", and that's when I drop the idea. So where do you all buy your Bettas from? Somewhere that can guarantee health and longevity?
 
Here's the thing: I am in the process of recovering from trauma, anxiety and depression. It's usually my dog's job to keep me sane, but he's all the way back in my home country now. I won't be able to have him here with me until about next year or the next two years. The idea was to keep another pet while my dog isn't around. Since I live in an apartment fishes are the only type of pet I can get. I love Bettas because they're so pretty and cheerful. Plus, it's one of those fishes that prefer living alone so they're easier to bond with. The problem is: they're easier to bond with. Each time I lose one I have to deal with a whole new layer of depression I totally don't need on top of the ones I'm already dealing with. So it is absolutely important for me to NOT receive a sickly or dying fish when I make a purchase. I need a hardy Betta that can stay with me for many many years. Where do I go?
 
Thanks in advance for your attention, and I'm sorry if this is posted in the wrong section. Thanks again.

 

[Baccus]

Welcome to the forum

Sorry I can not help you , with where to buy online from in America, but I have purchased quite a few fish online and only rarely has there been an issue with the fishes heath. Always check when buying online any customer feed backs (if the site doesn't have any available I would steer clear), also check to see the companies refund/ replacement policy for sick/ or dead on arrival fish. One place I have dealt with requires any dead fish to photographed in the bag and a claim being lodged with the company. This particular company I have dealt with was very apologetic and helpful, and gladly offered to refund the full amount or replace the entire shipment even though from memory it was only one fish that had died in transit.
With better bags (breathable) and shipping standards (not putting so many fish into a single bag and adding heat packs) I find buying online can be just as good as going personally into a shop. The main drawback is if you are looking for a particular colour or pattern, you cant really pick one online and its more a case of pot luck.
With a larger tank you can always have schooling/ shoaling fish which I find its less likely to get so emotionally attached to an individual fish, but larger tanks and more fish is not always an option in most houses/ flats/ apartments.
 
Because most bettas (Siamese Fighters) that you buy from almost anywhere is going to be a fully mature fish, it is more than likely already half way through its life, so for an already relatively short lived fish this means you may only get 6-12 months of quality time with it. I wonder would a small mammal be a better companion for you while you wait for your dog to be able to be with you? I know not everyone likes pet rats, but they are amazing pets, smart, responsive to you and often comical, they are also not overly long lived with an average age of 3 years. Also rats unlike mice don't develop a terrific stink within 5 minutes of being with you, because rats have a complete bladder instead of a half formed leaky one like mice. Also I found it easy to bath rats if necessary and my rats even quite enjoyed going for a swim when it was really hot. I don't know about what other small mammals you might have available in your state but I think hamsters and gerbils might be available as well as rabbits or even chinchillas (which are a bit more specialised).
Best of luck in your companion hunting, please keep us posted