Tips for Choosing a Healthy Betta at The Store

Originally Posted by iigwk

It is important to know what one should look for when buying a Betta from the pet store. The fish should be a healthy specimen from the outset. If you end up buying an unhealthy Betta, it is an almost certain recipe for disaster. You could end up spending many distressing hours trying to improve its looks, color and general health to no avail. These fragile fish do not recover easily from malnourishment or maltreatment and you would be heart-broken if it died in your care.
It is always a good starting point to make sure that the Betta fish was well cared-for during its stay at the pet store. In fact, make sure that it is actually alive while you are in the store. Sometimes Betta fish lie dead in plastic bags or glass bowls, something that could go completely unnoticed. Often, the Betta fish in the stores are already sick because of the less-than-healthy conditions in which they may have been kept. By going to an obscure pet store, you could be doing yourself a disservice. Stick to those that enjoy a good reputation.

Check out the surrounding environment: Make sure that the jars, in which the fish are kept, are clean. The water should appear fresh and clear with no traces of leftover food. There should be no bad odors emanating from the jars. These malodors could possibly be from dead fish. Next, a thorough check-up of the fish needs to be undertaken.
Check the body: The body should be free from any kind of lumps or bumps. The scales are flat and smooth in a healthy Betta, with missing and loose scales signifying a history of trauma and illness. White patches on the body could be indicative of a fungus infection. If its stomach is swollen, consider this a clear warning that the Betta is certainly not well.
Check the Fins and Gills: There should be no discolorations, tears or holes when the Betta’s fins are extended. This may be very difficult to properly check, because it is almost impossible for the Betta to extend its fins in the tiny bag or container that it is usually kept in at a pet store. In fact, Betta fins get broken or torn because of the very fact that they are kept for extended periods of time in containers way too small for them. When these showy fish swim around, their fins brush against the walls of the containers and tend to break. The gills should look smooth and flat with no sign of peeling. There should be absolutely no lumps or discoloration at all.
Check the Color: Healthy Betta fish are brightly colored with no apparent discoloration. Unhealthy Betta fish have a pale appearance with some discoloration seen along their body or face.
Check the eyes: Healthy Betta fish have clear eyes. Do not buy Betta fish whose eyes are either sunken or bulging.

Check the Behavior: Betta fish are usually active and float upright, unless they are sleeping. Bring your hand close to the Betta fish to make sure that it is alert. Don’t end up startling it though jabbing a finger into the bag in which it is stored, or by tapping against its bowl. Rather move your hand gently toward the Betta and gauge its reaction. Be subtle and gentle so as not to traumatize the fish. A healthy Betta is very alert and will always react in one way or the other to the movement it detects, though it may not always respond by flaring.Source: aquarium fish