[Dragonheart962]

So, I have a 10 gallon divided tank for two Bettas. I am planning to buy them tomorrow (Tank has already been filtered and set up, it's all ready!)
I really want to buy two healthy males. I don't want one to be sick, and then get the other one sick as well.
What should I look for in a healthy Betta?
What do healthy Bettas do/look like?

 

[OUOhYeah2016]

You should Always quarantine new fish for 2 weeks to make sure they aren't carrying anything. You can't guarantee that from the store even if they look healthy.

That being said, healthy is probably best determined by alertness and interaction. No buoyancy issues, no visible discolorations (velvet or ich for instance), no signs of fin rot are all good things too. But I have to stress that appearing healthy is in no way a guarantee that they won't have some hidden issues that aren't presenting themselves yet.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Believe me, if a Betta is obviously sick you'll know it: Listless, fins clamped, non-responsive, torn fins. Just overall dull.

Look for Betta that:

1. Respond/follow if you put your finger to their cup but don't tap it
2. React if you put them against a cup other than their neighbor's
3. Have bright color and eyes

Mostly it's response and interaction and condition. They shouldn't have a concave stomach.

I wouldn't bother quarantining. To properly quarantine you need to do so for at least four weeks; six is better. In addition, pet stores use the same equipment on all of their fish so if there's anything contagious they've most likely they've already been exposed.

Remember that the stress of a new environment can bring on illness. As hard as we try and as careful as we are fish can harbor things that don't show until times of stress.

As soon as you get them home add one drop of Prime to their cups. This is important in shipped fish, too. Open container; drop in Prime.

Don't forget to post photos!

 

[Witchipoo]

Listen to RusselltheShihtzu, best advice you'll get.
One tip, call the store where you plan to get your bettas ask what day their new shipments come in then go get them that day or the next. The longer they are in those little cups the more issues they're going to have.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

+1 ^^ I forgot about calling the store to find out when new ones arrive. That is extremely important.

 

[BettaStarter24]

If getting from the same store and dividing straight away, as Russell said no use quarantining due to shared equipment although if you already had a healthy betta in the tank and wanted to get another to divide the tank thats when I would quarantine.