how long do bettas live?

[sparkybetta]

hi i was wondering how long male bettas live?

[Jacko]

It depends on the care they receive and their genes... they should live at least 2 years... they're at least 3.5 months old when you buy them so expect them to have them for over 1.5 years. I've seen bettas that are 6 years old, while at that point they don't look like they did when first bought, it's incredible to see.

[sparkybetta]

thanks for the info do u have a betta?

[Jacko]

Not anymore... sad as it is I'm happy to be done with them for now. They get so addicting, had over 15 at one time... the more you have the harder it is to keep them... have no idea why lol
My oldest one was 4 years old, towards the end he got so sluggish and

[AmazingH]

3.5 months?!

Most bettas in pet stores are around a year old!

The fancier/larger the fins.. the older they are. The general public, people who just want a pretty fish for their kid, want the big flashy guys.. they just don't understand.


I have had males live up to 4.5 years.
Really depends on their care and genetic structure...

[Jacko]

At 3.5 months most of the bulk sellers (asia farm breeders for the most part) send out their bettas, usually by that age the males mature, you can start breeding them at 3.5... they still grow in the tanks, probably double in size, but going off of the size the petco here sells males (body length 1-1.5 inch), they're younger than a year.

[sparkybetta]

i bet you guys know alot about bettas is just that my friend damon said they 4-5 years