After dogs and cats, betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, is one of the most popular pets to own, and for good reason. Betta fish are attractive to look at, and their stress-relieving swimming style makes it enjoyable to watch them swim around the tank.
This particular species of fish is great for busy people who don’t have the time to take care of a cat or dog because it requires very little maintenance.
However, choosing a Siamese-fighting fish that is healthy and happy requires some investigation. The last thing you want is to choose a sick pet that you will have to spend time and energy treating.
In this article, we’ll go over a few suggestions for selecting betta fish properly.
Contents
Where to Buy a Betta Fish
Recommendations from coworkers, family members, friends, and others are the best approach to choosing a betta fish store to purchase your new friend. Contacting a breeder or pet shop that has been highly recommended by someone you know and trust is always the best option.
Find a Clean, Well-run Pet Store
You’ll need to do a bit more research if you don’t know anyone who has previously purchased a betta fish. Visit various pet stores and engage the workers in conversation. Verify the health of the aquariums and the happiness of the fish.
Consider the general appearance of the space as soon as you arrive. Are other animals up for sale? If so, what condition are they in? Everything is neatly piled on the shelves, or are the isles? The cages are tidy? What about the employees? Are they cordial and supportive?
Attentive Staff, Clean Aquariums
You can tell you’re in the correct area if the pet store is neat, well-kept, and has helpful personnel. Check out the aquariums, too. They ought to be spotless and algae-free. Additionally, the fish should be swimming around rather than resting at the tank’s bottom or top and be content and healthy.
If the answers to the aforementioned questions are “yes,” you probably have found a reputable retailer.
Research the Pet Stores Online
Research can also be done online. You can learn more about companies on social media and review websites, and you can do it from the comfort of your home. This way, you’ll know where to go and which pet stores to avoid.
The place where the fish is bagged is one location that is frequently disregarded. Typically, there is a counter with a sink. The area should be dry, clean, and devoid of debris, liquids, and grime.
Picking the Right Betta Fish
After evaluating the pet shop, the following step is to select a betta fish, who will become your new friend. Do they appear animated? Are the hues vibrant? Examine their fins carefully and in excellent light for tears. Cotton-like material or salt crystals shouldn’t be present in betta fish tanks.
Check the eyes to make sure they are clear and not swollen. No matter how much you might enjoy the fish, don’t buy it if it exhibits any of the aforementioned signs. Additionally, avoid purchasing any betta that has been in the pet shop for less than three days. Diseases might sometimes take a bit to manifest.
Here Are a Few Other Tips That Will Help You Pick the Right Betta Fish
First and foremost, never buy a brand-new betta fish from the shop. Make sure the one you choose has been in quarantine for at least seven days. The fish’s health can be assessed at this time.
Avoid purchasing from an aquarium at the store if you see a dead or obviously ill fish there. A week or more should pass before checking the same tank. You can proceed with the purchase if the fish appear to be in good health and are content.
Last but not least, avoid choosing a betta fish with a humpback while looking for one. The fish is therefore old and won’t live very long.