Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm on a super tight budget since I'm 13 and unemployed, and my parents aren't exactly thrilled about me getting more fish. They don't chip in, so I've got to make do with what I've got.

I'd say my limit is around $15, but if I got some birthday cash or something, I might stretch it to $20.

To be honest, I'm not a fan of the betta industry, especially when it comes to pet stores - they're often mass-bred by subpar breeders in the US, and sometimes shipped from overseas. I've only had rescues so far, all with severe health issues. But I've been lucky enough to get my money back, and sometimes even more, for each one. If I were to buy a quality fish from a reputable breeder, I'd want to support someone local, so I don't have to worry about the little guy getting tossed around by FedEx for days. I'd rather just drive a couple of hours to pick him up. I actually found a great plakat breeder on Aquabid who's just an hour away from me. Let's just say I'll be getting a pair this July.

It's great to see you're taking a stand. I'm still learning and working on my own values.

I looked into BetterBettas and it seems they breed some of their own fish, even award-winning ones. They show off their breeding pairs, and I have to say, they're stunning. The CrackerJack Surprises seem to be from breeders whose fins got damaged during breeding, so they're not show quality, but still a great deal.

I recently got a bunch of dwarf cories, probably wild-caught. My Orange BNs are definitely wild-caught, and so are my green neons since no one's figured out how to breed them yet. My Orange Oranda has eyes, which is unusual since she was likely bred to have them hidden. I got her from PetSmart because I loved her face and her eyes. On the other hand, my Blue Oranda's face is a bit crinkled, and you can't see his eyes, which is how it should be for a lionhead. I got him from my local fish store, and he's got a great face too.

There are so many things to worry about, especially when you're working with kids who've been through tough times. I've learned to focus on what I can control and do my best. I made some changes in my own life, like quitting smoking pot years ago, because I didn't want to support the criminal trade in Mexico.

We all do what we think is right, and that's what matters. You're following your values, and that's great. But remember, your worth isn't defined by your choices; it's who you are as a person. As you grow and learn, your perspective will change, but your worth will always be there.

I've been eyeing some really unique betta species and I'm willing to splurge for the right ones - I'm thinking of dropping somewhere between $100 to $200 for a pair of Betta albimarginata. As for the more common splendens, I'd say I'd pay around $50 or so for an exceptionally nice fish, like a high-quality plakat, but it would have to be truly stunning to justify the cost.

I've splurged on my fair share of bettas. My collection's had its affordable additions, like a $5 red veil tail, but I've also invested in some truly exceptional fish - perfect koi halfmoons imported from Thailand, with prices exceeding $100 including shipping. For me, she's well worth the cost.