You asked one more question about how to make sure you are getting a young and healthy one. I do not think I addressed this properly.

I myself do not get out to the petstores much to buy and do most of my buying direct from breeders I trust over the internet but I have found from friends who do buy in the stores what they do to get the best fish.

1 They call the stores to see when the fish are being brought in or they visit the stores regularly to see when the new supply of fish is being put out. Unfortunately the longer a fish sits in one of the cups on the shelf the less likely it is to be healthy. So when you get the new crop you have a better chance of a healthy fish. So if you know ahead of time when you are wanting your fish, daily trips to the store and a purchase of a small fish bowl to keep one in should you find the right one is ideal. It will mean daily water changes of about 50% (never 100%) to keep the ammonia down and keeping them in a warm place like a draft free room that is sunny but not in the window. To help the fish a small airstone and airpump with a regulator to adjust the airflow will also aid some to stir the surface of the water to add oxygen. The bubbles from the airstone to do not add oxygen but stirring the surface helps to do so.

You want to pick a fish that when you pick the cup up and look into it has some life in their eyes, some action from the movement in the water. They should not just shift with the flow of the water and have a dull look about them. This generally means they have been there too long.

Do not go strictly by whether they are bright colored. I have heard of dull colored fish being bright and beautiful by simply bringing them home and giving them a warm, clean and well fed environment. So if you see a fish with life and spunk and the general healthy points that you are looking for do not just pass it by for color. The fins may drag in that cup but remember the cup is not going to give it much room to stretch so that is not a showplace. Really sick fish will not have spunk and that is what you are looking for.

The best fish stores will have the bettas in small nets or boxes hanging inside the tanks of the other fish but they are few and far between. I have seen stores that put their bettas in small tanks rather than cups but that is alas also rare. Summer is coming and bettas being shipped from aquabid and ebay take a lot of risks of dying in the heat too. As well as it being very expensive but generally that is usually the very best bet to get a really healthy betta.

The next best thing would be to check for a betta breeder in your area that you could buy direct from. You would have the best of both worlds. Get a 6 pack styrofoam pop cooler and a small cool pack like the ones you put in the fridge and don't freeze it but get it cool and wrap it in a couple paper towels and head off to the breeders to get your fish. Put the baggie with the fish in the cooler to get it home and float it in the tank when you are ready for it and acclimate it properly to the water and let it into its new home.

I know breeders in several areas of the country if you need a reference if you are interested and want to PM me to get a breeder if I have one near you.

Rose