When you buy a betta....

[Qishi]

I am definitely a sucker for bettas that have different color on their fin's edges. Like my first betta has red fins but black edges and blue stripes close to the body. I just had to get him when I saw him.

[Rjb5584]

When I got whitey and spreckers, there were a pot of traits that carried similar or equal value: color vividness and actual colors, fin types and condition, unusualness of color or color combination, and scale condition. From there it went to overall health, aggression, then personality.

When I get my next one, actual colors and color vividness are going towards the bottom, scale condition is going up, as is personality and aggression.

I thought whitey was kinda pretty, but in the store I was kinda "meh" about him--it wasn't until the clerk said "if I were you, I'd buy him. I have no clue how one that attractive got past all the employees. If you don't buy him, at the end of the day, I will," and that sealed the deal. Spreckers colors are more what I like, but whitey's vibrancy and personality outshine spreckers' by miles. I'm still amazed what a difference it makes! This coming from someone who originally wanted bettas more as a way to liven up and decorate his appartment... >.<

[sarahbeth1976]

Until I adopted Argo...I never knew how much these little souls could steal people's heart. When I was a kid, we had goldfish. But bettas are in an entirely different league. Argo interacts with me as much as does my dog. :O)I a nver withou a dog & now I'll always have a Betta.

[Ajones108]

I'm a sucker for any orange or yellow bettas. My favourite tail type is most likely half moon or CTPK.

[hmckin20]

I tend to go for fin shape and then color.. whatever is extremely unique.
But even then I wait around to see any that connect to me. Most times I pick up the pitiful ones that are sick looking to take home and nurture.

[Campbell]

I always get the "ugly" (torn fins, plain color, etc.) ones. I feel like no one else would give them a good home. They're still interesting, and often times they will color up within a few weeks.

[betaguy]

I failed my last guy, ide rather not go into detail. This time around i didnt care for color, gender, or tail type. I just went with the one who would provide me with the best chance at success. right now hes a happy little bugger who made his first bubble nest yesterday. Hes pretty unique too, all white, pink tail, and a freckled face. Im amazed at how attached i am and just how much i watch him do his patrols (as i call them) across his fish tank. Its not all in the looks, personality matters more to me.

[Pitluvs]

I chose Ben based on health first, color second. Since my first two died on me I needed a healthy fish to learn with. Once I saw a new shipment of healthy bettas still in cups, then I chose on color. Ben was the only one that wasn't blue like my Venom. After that, I chose based on need and who wasn't pretty enough for people who based a fish on looks. I see red vts at the LPS which I'd love to have but i'll only get one if its in need of treatment. So far they are happy and healthy.