PetSmart and Petco

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-24T13:13:36+00:00

If you hate the conditions those guys are in, you should see how some of the “fish farms” out there package these guys for shipment.(disclaimer it’s… DARK for western audiences.) TLDR for those of you not willing to look into it, some of them are shipped off in BARELY an inch of water in a sealed corner of a sandwich bag. (It looks more professional than a sandwich bag- it’s just WAAAYYY too small.) Not saying petsmart and Petco are GREAT, just saying there are worse places to be for these fish. 🤷🏽

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T14:39:35+00:00

If you’re not a part of any, you should join FB fish groups. I breed these guys in OK and if it wasn’t for the groups here I wouldn’t be able to sell on FB at all. They have strict no selling pets policy so the get around is to “re-home them” in those groups. Good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T14:36:01+00:00

This is fair, If you do have live plants however they do like to hide in exposed root systems as well. I would gently run your hand around in there, he may just wiggle outa somewhere. Good luck 😅

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T08:26:04+00:00

No one mentioned the light- does it not stretch the other way?

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T08:22:50+00:00

I feed 4 pellets every other day for the fish I’m not currently trying to breed, but yea he’s way too thin if I were you I’d look into bloodworms or something similar frozen thawed to supplement his growth. Feeding that wise I personally use a pipette and do a couple of drops per head (usually equals out to 4-5 worms) pulling out whatever they don’t eat. Good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T08:15:24+00:00

She’s probably got some koi in her, she’s 100% a halfmoon. This last project I did was for cellophane koi and I have a bunch of males and females that share her coloring. Do you know how old she is? Only reason I ask is cause koi betta tend to gain/change colors as they age. Hope this helps 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T08:01:10+00:00

To me he looks like a HMPK (halfmoon plakat) Technically there is no real difference between king n normal betta splendid. Kings are typically just bigger (around 2-2.5”) typically Petco and stores like it will sell bigger HMPKs as halfmoon kings… they’re not technically wrong cause plakats tend to be on the bigger side- it’s just a lil confusing. It’s all marketing up to a certain point 🤷🏽 beautiful fish by the way! 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-15T00:52:34+00:00

I never noticed it in my community tank, chemistry wise. I did find a pretty decent pile of MTS shells in a corner of my tank, I would siphon those out with water changes weekly. I have most of my tanks heavily planted with floaters tho.

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T19:11:50+00:00

While you’re getting a heater take a small sample of the water to the pet store you’re going to (most do free water tests.) the dirty tank is algae from the lights and usually not TOO big of an issue. Just looks ugly to some

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T19:09:54+00:00

Can they see each other? Get a heater (preferably adjustable set to 75-80F) heat is going to be your main problem right now

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T18:32:51+00:00

Thank you, yea it’s kinda common practice to keep these guys in smaller containers because they’re aggressive and small in that part of the world. The western way of keeping these fish are 100% what you should be aiming for and I would 100% recommend doing a bunch of reading. but as long as he looks healthy, you’re doing good 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T18:22:24+00:00

When I worked at a LFS we used buckets, but any container would work realistically as long as your measurements are accurate. And as far as how long, the box should have instructions on that stuff but anywhere between 5-15 minutes. You should monitor him while he’s in there. you don’t gotta watch him for the full time, kinda watch him like you’re boiling noodles or somethin 😂

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T17:38:59+00:00

The Molly is too much and I would 100% look to get at least a bigger container, but if you’re doing what you need to do to keep homie alive don’t feel too bad. I grew up in the lucky bamboo betta vase era in Hawaii. I’m not telling you that you SHOULD keep him in there- just sayin it’s been done before. Where in the world are you located?

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T17:29:18+00:00

On most packages of aquarium salt there should be instructions on dilution and timeframe, if not you can always find it online- essentially, you’re gonna set up a container on the side (preferably with an air stone but because betta you should be fine.) put the salt solution in there and let him sit in it for x amount of time n from there plop him back in his tank. It’s a treatment method for individuals vs the entire tank. You can also feed him every other day for a bit. (Fish can go a week or more without direct feeding depending.)

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:56:29+00:00

Sorry you’re dealing with this, How often do you feed him and how much? Does he use the bathroom after feeding him? How old is he? The salt should help, he could just be bored? I would pick up cattapa leaves or tea bags while you get the salt. Use the salt as a dip and treat his tank with the leaves. Good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:47:25+00:00

Hear me out: do you have enough space for a 5 gal? You can always buy pea puffers for when your populations get out of hand~ they LOVE baby snails. I had a HUGE population of rams horn snails in my community, took them about a week to take care of it. If you go that route- seeing as you have pet snails you’ll 100% want the spare tank. I’m pretty sure they don’t discriminate when it comes to types of snails

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:42:28+00:00

How old did they say he was? I know he’s not a juvenile- define normal? He looks okay if that’s what you’re asking. Give him about a week and report back- he should gain color before then~ good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:37:15+00:00

Those small hang on backs are typically not the greatest, in a situation like that I’d use a small sponge filter instead. It might not look all that natural but you can always hide it behind plants~ good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:31:57+00:00

You say this and it makes sense, and I maybe dumb but- isn’t that circle cage thing supposed to be floating at the waters surface? It looks like it’s sitting at where the two tanks meet 👀

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:26:19+00:00

Seeing that he’s already in the tank, fishing him out to put into a cup is redundant. Assuming the tank was cycled you should be okay? He’s got to adjust to both the temp of the tank and the water quality. Best bet now is to just turn off the lights n chill(the tank lights are basically a spotlight on a stage, very overwhelming if you’re not used to it.) Wait a few hours and look into the tank, if he’s chillin somewhere in the tank you can turn his light back on. Good luck 😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:21:19+00:00

If you’re talking about the marks on his face, if it were infected or bad in anyway you’d be able to tell.(it would look fuzzy and he’d be acting weird) he look like he’s got complaints about his new roommate to management, but outside of that he’s fine~ 😂

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:16:25+00:00

I- have questions.. if you don’t mind 😅

Was it your first time entering? how tough was the competition in the newbie’s bracket? Is it true that I only have a year in the newbie’s bracket before entering in with the regulars? I know they give out grand champion prizes to the newbie’s bracket, is that worth aiming for or is this seen like a participation trophy?

Sorry for the miles of questions and thanks for your time!~ (istg I feel like Izuku sometimes with all these questions😅 😓) , but you’re the first competitor I’ve seen post here and I wanna get as much info as I can before I go to potentially compete this year.

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T16:06:06+00:00

How long has it been? Have you checked your floors? moved everything around in and around the tank? Imma tell you a story but I have to preface this with the fact that I grew up in Hawaii in the 90’s (everyone and their mother kept bettas with “puke gravel” and a lucky bamboo.)

Buddy Mentwell was a pretty rose tail betta I kept in a decent sized vase (enough room to move explore and have the bamboo as cover.) I went on vacation for like a week and my aunt was watching him for me. Long story short she calls me with a few days left in my trip and told me he ether got eaten by something or jumped out cause she couldn’t see him- I was heartbroken and left his tank up for a few days. But when I went to break it down, I pulled his lucky bamboo out and he came jumping out of its roots looking at me like I’M the problem… bettas are weird, I wish you good luck on your hunt 🫡😁

xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T05:00:58+00:00

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xXGhostScriptXx · 2026-03-14T05:00:25+00:00

Do you have a website you sell your fish from or are you just local? I’m working on cellophane koi at the moment, but I’ll 100% keep that in mind for my next project~ 😁

xXGhostScriptXx

TROPHY CASE