What a surprise! My BDay Bettas finally arrived!

[Art by Stef*]

I thought I'd share. I have been trying for months now to try my flipper (hand) at breeding halfmoon bettas. Have the whole set up, tanks, microworms throughout the house in antique jars, banana tree growing out front for leaves...

All I needed was the fish. Ordered one end of Dec from AB. It arrived boiled in a bag, even through overnight shipping. (had to wait a week before it was shipped) Tried to get one on Bay of E. When the bidding got over $90 per fish, I bailed. And no one offered BIN. So, ordered from Thailand, AB. I messed up because I ordered during Chinese New Year. Waited a month+. Kept getting postponed...

I was expecting chewed tails, DOAs, MIAs , etc. but they finally arrived! And what a surprise. What I thought I ordered was a pastel HM (3.5 months when I ordered him) turned out to be a whooping 2.75" Giant Dumbo HM (OHM?)!

Here is Big Bubbles compared to the 2" normal size Rockstar HM that I also ordered. (same age):



He barely fit in the bag, but seems to be extremely healthy, but a little shier than the other fish. Big Bubbles Butt:



Big Bubbles:



Rockstar:




Miss Bubbles:



Thank the heavens she is, as Hannibal Lector would say, "Rrrroomy". I just hope Big Bubbles don't pull a Lector. I plan to breed them
-Stef*

[Noahma]

wow! that is a beautiful fish!!!

[hunterlook]

Aside from those gorgeous fish, I'm impressed by your narrative! Lol, good luck with breeding!

[mosspearl]

Wow! He's impressive. He looks like there's a lightning bolt in his tail in picture 3.

[Art by Stef*]

Lol, Toni, I had to check that photo again. He's in a large plastic corner tank so I could get proper pics, and the angle caught a seam. He won't live in there permanently-too darn big. Have to put him in what was to be a "grow out" tank for betta fry (if I ever get that far). I don't think zig-zag tails are desirable, but I was gonna rename him "Harry Potter". Just a photo blur
-Stef*

[Art by Stef*]

"Harry Potter" the betta who lived...

[gray_fox]

At least you didn't name his Master.......Master Beta.....lol!

[zoragen]

Beautiful fish!

[Option]

The first two are dumbo bettas, right? The pectorals are nice on them.

[Art by Stef*]

Yes, they are dumbos. The second, "Rockstar", dumbo ears were expected, but not on "Big Bubbles". I wish I could find the original photo of him. The female (last pic) has pretty well developed pecs, too, but clear with dark veining.

I need to get a shot of the bubble nest he blew last night on a banana leaf. There was one small air bubble caught in a pocket, and he added to it. He just blew that sole bubble up big like his was blowing bubble gum. If I have time today, will post.
-Stef*

[Art by Stef*]

Wonder what size egg will fit in it? I think I'll need to breed him in a bathtub. And get some bacon...

[orchidman]

Beautiful bettas!!

[Sajacobs]

Beautiful betas. Enjoyable read

Keep us posted as he makes his nest.