My first betta aged out

[registereduser]

Phillip died last night. He was my first betta and my re-introduction to fishkeeping after 30 or so years. He was a Petco betta, a mislabeled big ear so I got him on the cheap. He was a year and a half old.

[MSG]

At least it seemed like he had a happy home. When was the last photo taken of him?

• Did you have any issues with torn fins from hyperactivity?

I stopped by Petco yesterday after I drove through a white out type blizzard. Took a stroll through their store, and found the betta section. Most if not all their 20 bettas were dead/covered in ich spots.

No baby bettas for sale.

Anyway, the fun part was when I was wandering around the driftwood section, I overheard another customer purchasing food for his crestie gecko & before he left, he stopped by the betta accessories.

I was wondering why he was in that section, & found out he's a betta owner & his fish came with a $50-60 price tag at a local store. From the way it's described, it's most likely a red halfmoon.

I've been keeping my eyes out for someone who might offer a good home for juvies and I couldn't believe my luck. I offered Wayne one of my 3 month old bettas if his trusty fish EVER passes on.

His betta is 6 years old!!

Unfortunately when I finally arrived home @ 2am, Wayne sent his text to the wrong number.

A little disheartening when I didn't see the message, but all is not lost.

I'll have to track him down through the fish place he purchased his betta from. I'm pretty sure his betta was already 5-6 months old when he first purchased it. Wayne is VERY good friends with the owner & I was planning to stop by the NEW location to see firsthand what type of livestock they offer.

I'm excited to have found a new home for one of my juvies.

• If you were me, would call the store or wait till you visit to chat with the owner?

Reggie, what are you planning to house in Philly's tank?

[registereduser]

Originally Posted by MSG

At least it seemed like he had a happy home. When was the last photo taken of him?

• Did you have any issues with torn fins from hyperactivity?

I stopped taking photos of him when I started buying more bettas His pectorals split a little and in this last week his tail got a split in it. I blame aging for the splits, not hyperactivity.

Originally Posted by MSG

Reggie, what are you planning to house in Philly's tank?

I bought my first veiltail yesterday since I knew Phillip was leaving me. I wonder if all my males will die at a year and a half? They are all from Petco.

[fgradowski]

Vardaman is an elephant ear betta and he definitely has some torn fins from hyperactivity! I bought him because he was cute and the most active guy at the store, but I'm regretting that now because his fins are always beat up.

[MSG]

I have yet to see a EE betta @ the store that looked healthy. Most seemed to have SBD.

Unless I meet a local breeder of EE's probably not going to add one due to all the frayed fin stories I keep hearing.

[fgradowski]

Originally Posted by MSG

I have yet to see a EE betta @ the store that looked healthy. Most seemed to have SBD.

Unless I meet a local breeder of EE's probably not going to add one due to all the frayed fin stories I keep hearing.

Like I said, I kind of regret it. He's always making me angry with all the new tears and what not. I bought him with one fin that was almost completely gone. It has grown back a little, but I've had him since November and it hasn't grown completely back yet.

[royal]

I just lost my first betta, royal today. I hadn't been fishkeeping for over3 years,and I had him for exactly two months and one day. SIP royal!