Operation Betta Rescue: Success!

[Aeonflame]

Ok, so I noticed this guy sitting in an 8 oz cup at my lfs the last time I was there. It almost broke my heart.

So I just went back and bought him. Hes a little beat up, but Im sure I can bring him back to good condition

He is currently in my community tank as a trial. If he proves to be peaceful with the other fish, like some of my past bettas were, he will stay in there. if not. I have a 5 gallon tank with his name on it. I think I'll name him Gus.

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[rich311k]

He is a nice looking fish. With some TLC he should heal up in know time.

[Rue]

He's pretty! Hope he likes his new home and flourishes...

Post an 'after' picture of him!

[mac]

Hope all goes well with your betta. He looks loverly.

mac

[jcarr71]

I hate to be the downer, but all you did was condemn another one to his fate. I never buy bettas unless I can find them in larger, normal tanks for that reason. Buying them in that state encourages stores to put them in that state.

That said, he's a good looking fish and will most likely recover his health.

[Aeonflame]

I'm no stranger to the way petstores work and I'm not shy of taking a stand.
I also know that If I didnt buy this particular fish when I did, It was probably going to die.

[Chazbot]

Good for you Aeonflame!

Good luck with him - he's pretty!! Keep us posted on how he's doing!!

[Ark6ie]

congrats on such a nice looking rescue...
i know that if you buy them in cups they will continue to be sold in cups, but what can you do when you see one that is doomed to death? leave it there cause you are "making a stand"? its not going to help that fish, and how many will die before the pet store realises that they are in the wrong? is it really worth it? you are then just as bad as the pet store arent you? im glad to see the little man get rescued and good luck in nursing him back to health. and pics when he is all better (or betta lol). :hmm3grin2orange:

[Deleted User]

Congratulations on your beautiful new addition!!!

[Oscar_freak12321]

That guy's a beauty! thumbs2:

[Aeonflame]

Well, its been a few hours and Gus seems to be doing very well. He got over the initial stage fright and is now swimming the length of the tank. The best part is, hes not even flaring at the other fish, even when they get really close.

[Mith]

I hate to be the downer, but all you did was condemn another one to his fate. I never buy bettas unless I can find them in larger, normal tanks for that reason. Buying them in that state encourages stores to put them in that state.

That said, he's a good looking fish and will most likely recover his health.

Your logic escapes me. He's the blame for other beta travisties because he saved that one. A similar logic would be, why stop a whaler boat from killing a specific whale because they'll just find another one to kill.

Please help me understand as I have said beforem I'm not very bright and don't always understand what someones point is.

Thanks.

[HorrorShowRot]

Save one or save none. Fish stores wont change it because they are ill informed. Sure bettas can live in a little pond. But there not there long. It is same with people overstocking a tank. It happens all the time no way around it. Very nice betta though. Dam mith beat me and I agree with mith

[HorrorShowRot]

Aeon I should show you pics of the betta i saved:hmm3grin2orange: They can be like twins :hmm3grin2orange: But just look at his fins close I cant really tell in the picture just look to see if he has been nipping himself bettas tend to do that when there stressed and or in crappy water conditions. Best treatment is melafix or somthing like it. Dose as an open wound.

[Aeonflame]

Actually, his tail looks good. no tears or anything. Its his dorsal fin and body that looks a bit chewed up.

I'd love to see photos of yours!

[HorrorShowRot]

Allrighty I will see what I can do tomorow. Just treat his fins so he doesnt get fin rot.thumbs2:

[jcarr71]

Your logic escapes me. He's the blame for other beta travisties because he saved that one. A similar logic would be, why stop a whaler boat from killing a specific whale because they'll just find another one to kill.

Please help me understand as I have said beforem I'm not very bright and don't always understand what someones point is.

Thanks.

No, he's not responsible for all Betta atrocities. I'll try to explain.

The way it works is simple. If people buy things from stores, they re-stock them. If you buy a package of pencils from Wal-Mart, they order another package to replace it and put it where the other one was. The same principle applies at your LFS with fish. If you buy a Betta from a tiny little dish, they are going to replace it with another one in the same exact tiny little dish. You don't accomplish anything overall by "rescuing" one. In the long run you encourage the mistreatment cycle by financially supporting it. The only way to stop it would be if people stopped buying them in that condition.

Saving a Betta like that is the exact same thing as condemning another one.

With that said, however, if you don't really care and just want a Betta than more power to you. It is just my personal philosophy not to buy them unless they are housed in a bigger tank. You'll get a healthier fish too since it won't have lived in such ridiculously poor condition. The only reason I brought it up at all was to try to explain that the term "rescuing" rings a little hollow when another is going to be subjected to the exact same thing because of the "rescue."

I really don't understand the whaling comparison so I can't comment on your confusion there. Finally, don't sell yourself short. Don't call yourself stupid. No one here is stupid.

[aquatic lover]

Nice fish aeon! I always see about 20 bettas at my lfs that are in little tiny round containers.

[Mith]

No, he's not responsible for all Betta atrocities. I'll try to explain.

The way it works is simple. If people buy things from stores, they re-stock them. If you buy a package of pencils from Wal-Mart, they order another package to replace it and put it where the other one was. The same principle applies at your LFS with fish. If you buy a Betta from a tiny little dish, they are going to replace it with another one in the same exact tiny little dish. You don't accomplish anything overall by "rescuing" one. In the long run you encourage the mistreatment cycle by financially supporting it. The only way to stop it would be if people stopped buying them in that condition.

Saving a Betta like that is the exact same thing as condemning another one.

With that said, however, if you don't really care and just want a Betta than more power to you. It is just my personal philosophy not to buy them unless they are housed in a bigger tank. You'll get a healthier fish too since it won't have lived in such ridiculously poor condition. The only reason I brought it up at all was to try to explain that the term "rescuing" rings a little hollow when another is going to be subjected to the exact same thing because of the "rescue."

I really don't understand the whaling comparison so I can't comment on your confusion there. Finally, don't sell yourself short. Don't call yourself stupid. No one here is stupid.

Ok, what your saying is remove the "demand" and the business will remove the "supply". The basic capitalistic supply and demand.

Now, public agencies do seizures on abused animals all the time. Their primary concern is the welfare of the animals that are being neglected/abused. They remove the animal from the bad environment. IMO, saving one or two animals is not unethical as it relates to exacerbate the supply by providing the demand....its simply saving an animal from abuse.

Not everyone has the means to correct the big picture, so they do it, as in this case, one fish at a time. I see what your saying regarding the supply and demand slant, but I don't think I'd say or imply someone was negligent by saving an animal who's being abused......and yes, I typed all that on my cell phone LOL

[VoidParadigm]

I have a solution that will solve those against "financing" betta death, and for those for "rescueing" bettas. Five finger discount!

Alright, alright, I jest, I apologize, it's 2:30 a.m., I'm bored, sue me. =P

Nice betta, though. Very interesting coloring. thumbs2:

[Mith]

I have a solution that will solve those against "financing" betta death, and for those for "rescueing" bettas. Five finger discount!

Alright, alright, I jest, I apologize, it's 2:30 a.m., I'm bored, sue me. =P

Nice betta, though. Very interesting coloring. thumbs2:

LOL.......

[bluebluecow]

Lovely fish he is sooo pretty I want him, Im guilty of rescuing as I love bettas, In fact its a bit better here at my 2 lfs, one keeps them in seperate tanks with other comunity fish, (thats where big red came from and he is a softy, was in with guppys and still is) the other one where my other 2 came from bag them during the day, well they bag a selection, then they have a few small tanks out back for the rest, they cant display them like that as they have no spare tanks out front.

Liz

[Aeonflame]

Great news you guys! Gus has moved in and made himself right at home. I was a little worried when he wasnt displaying any aggressive behavior at all towards his tankmates, Gift horse.. mouth.. yes I know. I just wondered if he was sick.

This morning I woke up and went to check on him and there he was, happily making a bubble nest behind the filter. When I fed them, he came right out in the middle of everyone and ate. It was so awesome! I'm starting to remember why I liked bettas so much. :)

[sandypants]

Aw cool- glad he is doing well. My betta will be in the process to moving into the community tank soon.

[Chazbot]

That's great Aeon!!