Betta Shopping?

[Phoxly]

Okay so I live in Las Vegas, and I easily have access to 4 Petsmart, 4 Petco, and 1 Tropical Fish store around town that I travel by daily, and I enjoy Petco's bettas more because they actually have Delta, Dragon, King, HM's, etc. However when I go in there and look at them, I don't know if I am picking a full fledged healthy one. I always look at coloration, bubble nests?, flaring, responsiveness, but as far as the physical health of it I am kind of confused.

I see some labeled half moon, but have fairly short tails and they aren't as full as some of their others, but may have great coloring. Will these ones ever fill out like them? Should I even buy from a petco/petsmart? My tropical fish store usually has the best bettas as far as beauty, but its a mad dash rush to get in and grab fish from the minute their new supply truck comes up. (No joke.)

[jeanclaudeasher]

My first 2 bettas were bought from Petsmart and one of my current bettas was purchased at Petsmart. I bought ones that were healthy and had them (still do with the one) for many months without health problems.

I recently found this store in a nearby area and their fish seem to be well cared for and healthier in general than any other store in my area so I will likely be buying my bettas from here from now on:

http://www.aquariumadventure.com/

[Phoxly]

Well my tropical store gets all new stock in this tuesday so maybe I'll try to get in there early :D

[beta novice]

hmm thats intersting theres a location for that store

[Phoxly]

You'd think vegas would have some nice options for betta fish, but I can settle with Petco, they have really neat people there (at 2 locations I should say)

[beta novice]

petco has great fish

[Phoxly]

For sure, the guy at the location by my house was very helpful. He actually told me he was the one who put the bettas in with the corycats and ottocats aquariums and added the large rock with the cave. He said they get along great and occasionally the Betta (a beautiful purple halfmoon) would get after them.

[Phoxly]

I might try seeing if they'll let me take that sweetheart off their hands, such a handsome fish. :D