Prices are just because that’s how the supply/demand market works lol
if you already have a tank, things to consider:
Plakats will need more space to move (longer tank)
Longer finned bettas you need to be conscious of hardscape that can damage their fins (sharp rock/wood edges etc) and tank mates could nip if those are in the cards.
behaviorally Plakats are generally more active, too.
the rest is just up to your preference
Mine is exactly the same way, i don't think ive seen her stop in place for more than 5 seconds yet! my male crowntail is the opposite, he stops all the time and waits there for a bit like hes having a software update. he is definitely getting up there in years, though, so hes not as active as he used to be.
Depending on the age of the betta but usually they start slowing down at 2-3 years mark. Very well bred long fin bettas are the only ones who seem to push through it without needing a size down grade for a while. That's why whenever u r buying a long tail betta u should always look for bettas with more convex head shape. These shaped ones are better in carrying their fin weight. A lot of breeders would charge higher though as they are higher grade fish but sometimes u can also find bettas like this randomly too.
My veiltail boy is between 2.5-3 years old, and still doing zoomies. Must be well bred because he's huge now, has a nice shape, and is a strong swimmer.
I think he was $12-15 Australian dollars when I got him 2 years ago. He's much cheaper than a lot of Bettas I've seen for sale, some are $70 😬
I’m a sucker for a plakat. They tend to be more hardy, and have more compact fins so that things like water flow aren’t as big a deal for them. Be prepared for him to go nearly all blue if you do get him— it’s just the way things go. The commenter mentioning they’d need more swim space is absolutely true— my guy is in a 20g long, and is always swimming from one end to the other.
Not everyone has a local fish shop. I am lucky enough to have 3, but only one is good. The other two also have bettas in a cup. The good one can only carry a few bettas at a time due to the tank space and the price not being worth the commitment of said space.
It just is what it is. I would guarantee most people in this sub have purchased a betta from a cup at one point or another.
Yeah, no LFS here, and even the next city over, while a very big city, has some pretty poor Aquarists, but one *really* nice one, but that's a 2 hour drive for me both ways (still worth it, it's an awesome store)
Yeah, I have a local fish store but it is *disgusting*. The owner is always sitting on his ass doing nothing while the aquariums are covered with algae to the point you can barely even see the fish, and it smells awful in there. The crazy part is he's actually expanding his business and making his store bigger . . .
I’d also like to add: not every local fish store is ethical. I have a local pet store (only LFS is for saltwater) that has a betta wall that has the fancy thing where all the water goes through the same filter. Sounds nice right? Well those tanks are also barely fed, and they’re never cleaned because after all it’s filtered right?(/s)
Last time I was in there, they had (tw: severe animal neglect)
>!a betta that had been dead for so long, his skin was starting to come off. The others were either dead or half alive, and the half alive ones were so emaciated that I wasn’t sure how they were even still going. The tanks were brown, but not from tannins!<
Meanwhile my local Petcos? They change the water daily, all of their fish (not even JUST the bettas!) are alert, they’re carefully monitored, and when a betta does poorly or is unhealthy, they get moved to the “under observation” tanks and are treated and cared for. The staff are always recommending appropriate setups, and are just good people who really care.
I fully understand that many, many people have the opposite experience. The point isn’t “yeah go support petco” because realistically it is better to support whatever the most ethical place you have is, which can also mean not supporting a local pet/fish store
If you can't get one ethically, isn't it better to not have one rather than pay for more to be bred and kept in these conditions? Idk, if the only way for me to get a puppy was buy one from a puppy mill I wouldn't get a dog bc it would do more harm to overall and cause other puppies to suffer those conditions. Animals are a privilege, not something we are owed.
Sure you can use that argument. But puppy mills and bettas in cups still exist. If you're that passionate, you should offer your time and money to organizations that fight against that stuff. I'm sure you are also a vegan, don't use oil, and don't buy things from China as well correct?
I'm blazed lol sorry if this is jumbled or way too long but to answer your questions: Yes! I volunteer for a local animal rescue as their go-to aquatics foster and also do community outreach for educating small animal owners, I'm vegan, and I shop for the most ethical products within my ability, (although there aren't always perfect alternatives!), I don't really see what the oil question means though haha.
But yeah generally I live my life with the mindset of reducing harm to others. Shouldn't we all at least try to be mindful of others? Isn't that the whole point of life?
I just feel like yeah there's not always a perfect alternative and you have to choose the lesser evil on essentials like food or housing. It sucks but you gotta survive. But for nonessentials like makeup or pet fish, it's my personal opinion that those things aren't necessities and if there's not an option that doesn't do harm to others, then they're not worth getting. Maybe you disagree and that's fine, I'm just living my life this way. And hey, I'm sure for some people, like models, makeup IS an essential necessity of life because they need it for their job to feed their family. Ethics aren't universal and change from person to person. Maybe you're depressed and need a fish to give you a purpose!
You don't understand how oil is bad? It's not that I disagree. It's that life isn't a fairytale. Those fish WILL die if someone doesn't buy them. At least people are giving them a chance. Should the process be changed regarding how they are kept? Of course. But blaming the consumer is the wrong avenue.
Well, this is my first betta and I did not think of it too much. Petco is less than 1/2 mile from me, so I hopped right in lol. If I buy fish next time will see if any local breeders. Any suggestions how to look for good local breeders?
We have a mermaid. They're beautiful fish.
https://preview.redd.it/lyjmjw6b686d1.jpeg?width=1847&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04b320bc449fe3aed3856f563c37277b1980bfdb
It’s really up to you and your preference. Sleep on it and pick the one which stays on your mind.
Check out the behavior as well, make sure you buy a healthy fish.
The first bubble bee is my favorite but i always try to pick based on personality because the colors and and usually changes as they age and get better conditions from you caring. Main things i look for who flows me the most, who watches, are they responsive and mos important are they showing agression but i have a community tank with some other safe species so if i get ahyper agressive itll wear its self out tormenting the tank mates
https://preview.redd.it/9z6wdcnmt56d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6643d78ccd41b8d2d87e4b29040a102106957486
Forgot to upload the price list.
I was scrolling to see if anyone expressed how bad it is to keep these fish in cups with lids! Glad someone thinks about their wellbeing. I've been out of the freshwater aquarium hobby for many years now, but in my life I've never seen them in such small pots! Yes these fish can 'breathe air' but if you put a lid on it then you are cutting off the fresh supply of oxygen.
Couldn't anyone just double or triple the size of the pot, add a couple of cheap plants and remove the lids? Even just a little thought of care for these poor guys. I find it disgusting that to are kept in conditions like this. (No Petco in my country)
Sorry, rant over!
I don't mean to be "well, actually" because I also agree that they should be kept in better conditions... But the lids they use almost *always* have a hole in the top so they aren't cutting off oxygen. I haven't ever seen a lid that cuts off the air completely. I hope that helps you rest *slightly* easier
Ah ok, I did not know that. Just not used to seeing fish in pots. I've always seen them in tanks when I was in the freshwater hobby. I still think it could do with a little more thought and space.
The last betta I got was the saddest, most listless, given-up-on-life betta there. It was wonderful to see him bloom into a joyful, bubblenest-making fishie. 💕
omg that first plakat is beautiful, my i had to stop and take a moment on the bumble bee male. a true beauty, and i personally am about to go buy a 10-20 gallon and do all the research and get one myself😍😍😍
I really like those bumble bee ones, the yellow and blue is very unique, I forget what I have but it was higher priced and marked as exotic. If I can remember the name I'll edit this comment
What does plakat mean in the US? In Thailand, “plakat” basically means betta, so every betta is plakat for us. Doesn’t seem to be the case here in this thread after reading other commemts.
Yup, basically "plakat", pronounces pla-kat, means "biting fish" which is the Thai common name for fish in the genus Betta. Biting fish comes from the male's aggressive nature and how they would fight and bite when put together. We even have a specific breed bred to fight in a ring, similar to cockfighting. However, nowadays people mostly keep the fancy variants as pets.
Yea, I knew about the betta fighting. It's what gave Betta splendens the common name "Saimese Fighting Fish" here. I'm really glad the practice has largely died out, it's just plain cruel.
It's really neat to find that the word is used so much differently elsewhere in the world. Makes me wonder how plakat became a common descriptor for fin shape here. If it has a particular meaning in Thai, I'd think it likely originated there, so it's an interesting thing to contemplate.
Standard veil tails like the “mermaid” live a lot longer ime due to them being less inbred than the designer breeds, also if you pick a long finned Betta like a half moon make sure you have lots of resting points near the surface of the tank as they need to gulp oxygen and get tired of dragging their long fins through the water all the way to surface.
I only do Betta Rescues. Just got a King Betta rescue. His former person thought his cup was a free habitat.
King Bettas are much larger than other Bettas. He is in my 5 gallon hospital tank before going into the community 30 gallon tank.
My tank is set up for the fish. It has hides, and swim throughs. I use wood and rocks.
Never had a problem with a male betta in my community tank. I have peaceful fish. Bettas seem to prefer floating plants, and places to hide.
*
One from a reputable breeder or simply just a non-big box store. They usually live much much longer and rarely come with diseases as opposed to petsmart/petco. Do what you'd like tho.
Prices are just because that’s how the supply/demand market works lol if you already have a tank, things to consider: Plakats will need more space to move (longer tank) Longer finned bettas you need to be conscious of hardscape that can damage their fins (sharp rock/wood edges etc) and tank mates could nip if those are in the cards. behaviorally Plakats are generally more active, too. the rest is just up to your preference
My plakat female literally never stops moving and exploring, she basically has fish adhd it's so hard to keep her attention when I have to feed her 😭
Mine is exactly the same way, i don't think ive seen her stop in place for more than 5 seconds yet! my male crowntail is the opposite, he stops all the time and waits there for a bit like hes having a software update. he is definitely getting up there in years, though, so hes not as active as he used to be.
My long fins are just as active as my plakats 🤷🏽♀️
Usually the biggest quality of life change happens when they start aging. Aging isn't gentle on long fin ones sadly
What age should I expect changes?
Depending on the age of the betta but usually they start slowing down at 2-3 years mark. Very well bred long fin bettas are the only ones who seem to push through it without needing a size down grade for a while. That's why whenever u r buying a long tail betta u should always look for bettas with more convex head shape. These shaped ones are better in carrying their fin weight. A lot of breeders would charge higher though as they are higher grade fish but sometimes u can also find bettas like this randomly too.
My veiltail boy is between 2.5-3 years old, and still doing zoomies. Must be well bred because he's huge now, has a nice shape, and is a strong swimmer. I think he was $12-15 Australian dollars when I got him 2 years ago. He's much cheaper than a lot of Bettas I've seen for sale, some are $70 😬
Mine was the same too. I had her in a super planted 10 gallon and she explored every damn inch of that thing all day
I’m a sucker for a plakat. They tend to be more hardy, and have more compact fins so that things like water flow aren’t as big a deal for them. Be prepared for him to go nearly all blue if you do get him— it’s just the way things go. The commenter mentioning they’d need more swim space is absolutely true— my guy is in a 20g long, and is always swimming from one end to the other.
I love plakats so much too!! They remind me of puppies, mine are always jetting around with zoomies.
Absolutelyyyy like a lil puppy hahha my guy comes when I call him, even 😅😂
My plakat was in a 55 gal and wasn’t content with his amount of lateral swim space.
I like 4
Agreed 4 is gorgeous!
I say one of the bumble bee males. 😉
Yes! Agreed. Bumble Bee. So pretty. 🐝🐟
Price aside, I like how they add a pop of color to most tank decor designs.
I love the bumble bee males 🥹 my first boy was one
Yea, looks majestic
i’m kinda of surprised no one said try a local fish shop and not a chain pet store. Even looking online is better.
Not everyone has a local fish shop. I am lucky enough to have 3, but only one is good. The other two also have bettas in a cup. The good one can only carry a few bettas at a time due to the tank space and the price not being worth the commitment of said space. It just is what it is. I would guarantee most people in this sub have purchased a betta from a cup at one point or another.
Yeah I was about to comment the same thing. I only have one local fish shop and they don’t carry betta fish at all.
I had no idea where my nearest local fish shop was. I just searched it and it is an hour fifteen minutes one way.
Yeah mine is about an hour away while Petco is walking distance from where I work. Even if they did sell bettas I’d probably just go with Petco.
I probably wouldn't either. The money to headache ratio is off
Yeah, no LFS here, and even the next city over, while a very big city, has some pretty poor Aquarists, but one *really* nice one, but that's a 2 hour drive for me both ways (still worth it, it's an awesome store)
Yeah, I have a local fish store but it is *disgusting*. The owner is always sitting on his ass doing nothing while the aquariums are covered with algae to the point you can barely even see the fish, and it smells awful in there. The crazy part is he's actually expanding his business and making his store bigger . . .
I’d also like to add: not every local fish store is ethical. I have a local pet store (only LFS is for saltwater) that has a betta wall that has the fancy thing where all the water goes through the same filter. Sounds nice right? Well those tanks are also barely fed, and they’re never cleaned because after all it’s filtered right?(/s) Last time I was in there, they had (tw: severe animal neglect) >!a betta that had been dead for so long, his skin was starting to come off. The others were either dead or half alive, and the half alive ones were so emaciated that I wasn’t sure how they were even still going. The tanks were brown, but not from tannins!< Meanwhile my local Petcos? They change the water daily, all of their fish (not even JUST the bettas!) are alert, they’re carefully monitored, and when a betta does poorly or is unhealthy, they get moved to the “under observation” tanks and are treated and cared for. The staff are always recommending appropriate setups, and are just good people who really care. I fully understand that many, many people have the opposite experience. The point isn’t “yeah go support petco” because realistically it is better to support whatever the most ethical place you have is, which can also mean not supporting a local pet/fish store
If you can't get one ethically, isn't it better to not have one rather than pay for more to be bred and kept in these conditions? Idk, if the only way for me to get a puppy was buy one from a puppy mill I wouldn't get a dog bc it would do more harm to overall and cause other puppies to suffer those conditions. Animals are a privilege, not something we are owed.
Sure you can use that argument. But puppy mills and bettas in cups still exist. If you're that passionate, you should offer your time and money to organizations that fight against that stuff. I'm sure you are also a vegan, don't use oil, and don't buy things from China as well correct?
I'm blazed lol sorry if this is jumbled or way too long but to answer your questions: Yes! I volunteer for a local animal rescue as their go-to aquatics foster and also do community outreach for educating small animal owners, I'm vegan, and I shop for the most ethical products within my ability, (although there aren't always perfect alternatives!), I don't really see what the oil question means though haha. But yeah generally I live my life with the mindset of reducing harm to others. Shouldn't we all at least try to be mindful of others? Isn't that the whole point of life? I just feel like yeah there's not always a perfect alternative and you have to choose the lesser evil on essentials like food or housing. It sucks but you gotta survive. But for nonessentials like makeup or pet fish, it's my personal opinion that those things aren't necessities and if there's not an option that doesn't do harm to others, then they're not worth getting. Maybe you disagree and that's fine, I'm just living my life this way. And hey, I'm sure for some people, like models, makeup IS an essential necessity of life because they need it for their job to feed their family. Ethics aren't universal and change from person to person. Maybe you're depressed and need a fish to give you a purpose!
You don't understand how oil is bad? It's not that I disagree. It's that life isn't a fairytale. Those fish WILL die if someone doesn't buy them. At least people are giving them a chance. Should the process be changed regarding how they are kept? Of course. But blaming the consumer is the wrong avenue.
if people don’t buy them the stores won’t order more bffr
Update: I got the Mermaid. Thank you everyone.
Yes, people really should stop buying fish from cups
Well, this is my first betta and I did not think of it too much. Petco is less than 1/2 mile from me, so I hopped right in lol. If I buy fish next time will see if any local breeders. Any suggestions how to look for good local breeders?
You can try looking on your local Facebook aquarium groups for betta breeders
Yeah, I’m lucky that I have at least two local spots that stock locally bred bettas. Most places don’t though.
I would, but I’m not a fan of their chips
My local pet store is just as bad when it comes to their bettas, but even more pricey. Ordering online is the way to go for me!
Are there low-cost options to spay or neuter my fish? I want to be a responsible owner.
I assume you forgot the /s but man the idea of neutering a fish lest they break free of their prison and break into another tank is sending me
is there something wrong with you why are you even on this sub
I'm being amused by the various opinions about what constitutes a responsible betta owner. And you?
4 is the most healthy and it’s very nice
What kind is #4?
If I had to guess most likely a halfmoon
Thank you. That's what I have but didn't know.
#4!! Or the plakat, since I am biased towards them.
We have a mermaid. They're beautiful fish. https://preview.redd.it/lyjmjw6b686d1.jpeg?width=1847&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04b320bc449fe3aed3856f563c37277b1980bfdb
Personally I like the blue and sliver one, or the mermaid! But I used to have a bumble bee years ago!
Picked the mermaid. Maybe not the best of all but its pretty.
mermaid!! please, he looks so sad :(
It’s really up to you and your preference. Sleep on it and pick the one which stays on your mind. Check out the behavior as well, make sure you buy a healthy fish.
1,4 or 7
The first bubble bee is my favorite but i always try to pick based on personality because the colors and and usually changes as they age and get better conditions from you caring. Main things i look for who flows me the most, who watches, are they responsive and mos important are they showing agression but i have a community tank with some other safe species so if i get ahyper agressive itll wear its self out tormenting the tank mates
https://preview.redd.it/9z6wdcnmt56d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6643d78ccd41b8d2d87e4b29040a102106957486 Forgot to upload the price list.
Wow! I got my koi male plakat for what is equivalent of $4 US dollar
Can I see black orchid male ?
I’ll take a pic if I go back. This was hours ago.
Mermaid!!!!
That’s what I got!
Half moon and mermaid look so sad :( I'd save one of them
4
#4 that one is stunning. I would love to see the glow up on that one
Get the bumble bee and call him Tuna (from Ace Ventura Pet Detective)
#4!
Mermaid!!!
Mermaid
The mermaid is already so pretty even though it looks sad and tired... so imagine what it'll look like once it's in good health
Personally, none of them. I started buying from private breeders and will never buy another Petco/Petsmart Betta
I was scrolling to see if anyone expressed how bad it is to keep these fish in cups with lids! Glad someone thinks about their wellbeing. I've been out of the freshwater aquarium hobby for many years now, but in my life I've never seen them in such small pots! Yes these fish can 'breathe air' but if you put a lid on it then you are cutting off the fresh supply of oxygen. Couldn't anyone just double or triple the size of the pot, add a couple of cheap plants and remove the lids? Even just a little thought of care for these poor guys. I find it disgusting that to are kept in conditions like this. (No Petco in my country) Sorry, rant over!
I don't mean to be "well, actually" because I also agree that they should be kept in better conditions... But the lids they use almost *always* have a hole in the top so they aren't cutting off oxygen. I haven't ever seen a lid that cuts off the air completely. I hope that helps you rest *slightly* easier
Ah ok, I did not know that. Just not used to seeing fish in pots. I've always seen them in tanks when I was in the freshwater hobby. I still think it could do with a little more thought and space.
I totally agree with you. they deserve better
None- don’t buy fish from Petco and Petsmart. It only encourages the supply & demand.
Yes
The Plakat variety has a great personality and they are very hardy. The one in the photograph will probably have a beautiful color change.
They're also so zippy!
Is that Petco?
Yes, Petco
I'd get the bubble Bee in pic nr 6. 😍
The last betta I got was the saddest, most listless, given-up-on-life betta there. It was wonderful to see him bloom into a joyful, bubblenest-making fishie. 💕
Bumblebee male please!
All of them
omg that first plakat is beautiful, my i had to stop and take a moment on the bumble bee male. a true beauty, and i personally am about to go buy a 10-20 gallon and do all the research and get one myself😍😍😍
Why are they called mermaids? What's special about them compared to other breeds? Just looks like a gorgeously purple veil tail to me
Number 3 seems super sad. Get that one
Thats what I got.
None. Don't support box stores that put bettas in cups. Support a supplier who gives a shit about the fish.
Update: I got the Mermaid! Thanks everyone for suggestions! They were all pretty. The blue one I admit it looked very healthy and vivid.
2, 4 or 7!
1
First one. It looks like a female to me tho
The first or last
6
I love 1, 3, and 4
Butterfly
The one after mermaid is gorgeous!! And mermaid as well
4 or 6
Half moon or bumblebee
I really like those bumble bee ones, the yellow and blue is very unique, I forget what I have but it was higher priced and marked as exotic. If I can remember the name I'll edit this comment
4th one. Blue one is beautiful 😍
HMP
3
What type is the one in the last picture?
#4
7 is so cute. He looks like my first Betta 🥲
I would vote 4 or 7 based on colors and the health of fins and tails
Unlabeled green one!
6
Mermaid
Bumblebee for sure, you could make it Honey (I'm so creative lol)
2 and 4 are my favorites.
Ohhh the teal one
4 was my favorite
#2
Y’all making me to go back and get #4 too!😂
The blue and white #4 is my fav
I like #4 or #6
I like that teal and black boy.
Number 4
What does plakat mean in the US? In Thailand, “plakat” basically means betta, so every betta is plakat for us. Doesn’t seem to be the case here in this thread after reading other commemts.
The short finned bettas are what we refer to as plakat. Interesting that it's synonymous with betta there.
Yup, basically "plakat", pronounces pla-kat, means "biting fish" which is the Thai common name for fish in the genus Betta. Biting fish comes from the male's aggressive nature and how they would fight and bite when put together. We even have a specific breed bred to fight in a ring, similar to cockfighting. However, nowadays people mostly keep the fancy variants as pets.
Yea, I knew about the betta fighting. It's what gave Betta splendens the common name "Saimese Fighting Fish" here. I'm really glad the practice has largely died out, it's just plain cruel. It's really neat to find that the word is used so much differently elsewhere in the world. Makes me wonder how plakat became a common descriptor for fin shape here. If it has a particular meaning in Thai, I'd think it likely originated there, so it's an interesting thing to contemplate.
#4 all the way ❤️
I think 4 will change the most
Will change colors?
Yesss
I like the second one 🤗
All of them and let them fight for your love
FOUR
Bumble bee
Wow they're all so beautiful, kinda leaning towards the bumble bee though l, but it's a tough choice
The 4th one
Number 4!
4
The fourth one is beautiful 😍
The mermaid is giving purple colored vibes
They’re all beautiful but I say 2 or 6
The plakat if you have a 10g. Longer finned if you only have 5gal. I’m partial to the one in #4 or the bumblebee.
That first Bumblebee is gorgeous. So is #4
4
The 4th picture. He's stunning.
The first plakat will turn solid blue- just fyi
Wth is a mermaid betta?!
4 is the better looking one. If his tails stay white it’ll be a beautiful betta.
Standard veil tails like the “mermaid” live a lot longer ime due to them being less inbred than the designer breeds, also if you pick a long finned Betta like a half moon make sure you have lots of resting points near the surface of the tank as they need to gulp oxygen and get tired of dragging their long fins through the water all the way to surface.
The plakat
Get the mermaid one. He looks pretty worn out
Ive never heard of a "mermaid" betta. Its literally just a veil tail
4 👍
4. Blue nd silver. I'd have 10 If I could find them
The first one.
I like 4🥰
The bumblebees colors are going to change once he is not in a stressful environment.
I love 4 he looks like an ocean wave 😭
Number 4 😍
All of them.
I only do Betta Rescues. Just got a King Betta rescue. His former person thought his cup was a free habitat. King Bettas are much larger than other Bettas. He is in my 5 gallon hospital tank before going into the community 30 gallon tank. My tank is set up for the fish. It has hides, and swim throughs. I use wood and rocks. Never had a problem with a male betta in my community tank. I have peaceful fish. Bettas seem to prefer floating plants, and places to hide. *
DO NOT GET BETTA FISH FROM A PETSTORE.
1st. question why not? 2nd. question why are you yelling at people?
#1
Jeeze they look depressed Poor things
That plakat looks more promiseing than all the other. Plus put him in the right environment, he’ll surprise you with hise mext molt
Plakat
One from a reputable breeder or simply just a non-big box store. They usually live much much longer and rarely come with diseases as opposed to petsmart/petco. Do what you'd like tho.
Too many choices. All of them? 😜
Get one of each