If you’re in the market for a betta fish, you may be wondering: how old are betta fish when you buy them at Petsmart? Read on for a deep dive into betta ages and what to expect when purchasing one of these beautiful, active fish.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Betta fish at Petsmart typically range from 4-12 months old.
Betta Fish Lifespans and Maturity
Typical Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a betta fish is around 2-3 years with proper care and living conditions. According to research from Oregon State University (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/aquarium-fish/betta-splendens-siamese-fighting-fish), bettas can live up to 5 years in captivity.
Male bettas tend to live slightly longer than females with average lifespans of 3 years and 2 years respectively. Proper tank size, filtration, temperature, nutrition, and clean water greatly impact longevity.
During their first year, betta fish reach full size. After 12-18 months, signs of aging become noticeable in behavior and appearance. For the first 2 years, most bettas remain vibrant in color with flowing fins if housed properly.
By age 3, faded colors, frayed fins, sluggishness and other issues associated with old age emerge. With excellent care, some bettas live to age 5 with a few exceptional cases reaching 6-8 years!
Age of Maturity
Male and female bettas reach sexual maturity at different ages which is an important consideration for breeding. According to research published in the Journal of Fisheries (https://thefishsite.com/articles/basic-biology-of-betta-splendens), male bettas mature earlier than females.
Male bettas become sexually mature at 3-4 months old. At this age, males start displaying more aggressive territorial behaviors, building bubble nests, and showing interest in mating with females. The shift occurs due to increased testosterone production influencing genetic and physiological changes.
Males continue maturing until approximately 6 months old when they reach peak performance for successful breeding.
In contrast, female bettas reach sexual maturity at 5-6 months old with optimal breeding age being 8-10 months. By 5 months old, ovarian growth accelerates as females produce eggs. At the 6 month mark, females normally double in body mass compared to maturity which signals readiness for spawning.
An interesting fact is female bettas tend to live shorter lives because the egg production process requires immense energy.
Betta Fish Breeding
Breeding Age
Betta fish reach sexual maturity and become ready to breed around 4-5 months of age. However, it is best to wait until they are at least 6 months old before attempting to breed them, as this allows them to fully develop and become strong, healthy adults.
Some key signs that a betta is ready to breed include:
- Males develop longer, more colorful fins and begin flaring at other bettas.
- Females develop an egg spot on their belly.
- Both males and females become more active and aggressive.
conditioned through feeding them high protein foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. This helps them develop strong, healthy eggs and sperm. Breeders recommend conditioning bettas for 1-2 weeks before attempting to spawn.
Fry Development Stages
Betta fry go through several distinct developmental stages on their way to adulthood:
- Hatching – Eggs typically hatch within 24-48 hours after spawning. The tiny fry hang vertically from the bubble nest at first.
- Swim bladder development – At around 2-3 days old, the swim bladder inflates and the fry begin to swim horizontally.
- Free swimming – At around 5-7 days old, the fry are actively swimming and searching for food. They are now free swimming.
- Coloring up – At 2-3 weeks old, fry start developing color on their bodies and fins. Males begin showing longer fins.
- Maturing – Fry reach juvenile stage at 6-8 weeks old. Gender becomes more apparent and mature coloration comes in.
- Adulthood – By 4-5 months old, males develop their full flowing fins and vivid colors while females reach breeding condition.
Throughout these stages, proper feeding and care is essential to help the fry grow successfully. Fry initially eat infusoria but soon can be weaned onto microworms, vinegar eels and finely ground dry foods. With good husbandry, they should reach adulthood by 4-5 months old.
Purchasing Betta Fish from Petsmart
Pet Store Suppliers
Petsmart sources their betta fish from a few major suppliers across Asia. These large-scale breeders and exporters specialize in raising vibrant, healthy bettas in a variety of spectacular colors and fin types. The fish are generally juveniles or young adults when they arrive at the store.
According to industry reports, popular supplier countries include Thailand, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Shipments of bettas come in weekly or bi-weekly to most Petsmart stores. The fish are bagged individually and packed securely to survive the long trip. In-store aquatics specialists carefully acclimate new arrivals before transferring them to special betta barracks or display cups.
Mortality rates are quite low thanks to strict quality control measures.
Estimating Age Based on Size
As a general rule, larger bettas tend to be older while smaller ones are younger. However, accurate age determination is tricky in fish. Factors like genetics, nutrition, water parameters, and space can all impact growth rates.
Newly arrived bettas at Petsmart typically measure between 1-3 cm in length. These miniature fish are under 6 months old. Juveniles around 3-5 cm long are usually 6-12 months old. Larger adults over 5 cm generally range from 1-3 years old. Giants and kings can live even longer.
| Size | Approximate Age |
| 1-3 cm | Under 6 months |
| 3-5 cm | 6 months – 1 year |
| Over 5 cm | 1-3+ years |
While size provides clues, the exact age remains difficult to pinpoint. Regardless of its age, choosing an active betta with bright colors and erect fins is key. Established aquatic shops like Petsmart stand behind the health of their fish by warrantying sales.
Caring for Your New Betta Fish
Setting Up the Tank
When bringing home a new betta fish from Petsmart, it’s important to have an appropriate tank set up and ready for them. An ideal betta tank should hold at least 5 gallons of water and have a heater and filter. The water should be treated with a water conditioner to remove chlorine and heavy metals.
The temperature of the water should be kept between 78-80°F. Having live or silk plants, along with hiding spots like caves and tunnels, will help the betta feel secure.
Before adding the betta to the tank, let the tank cycle for at least 1 week to allow beneficial bacteria to accumulate. Test the water with a kit to ensure the pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are at safe levels.
Once the tank environment is stable, you can gently float the betta’s temporary container in the tank for about 15 minutes to let them adjust to the temperature before releasing them into their new home.
Feeding and Nutrition
Betta fish thrive best on a varied diet consisting of high quality pellets or flakes as the staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods. When first bringing home a Petsmart betta, feed them 2-4 small meals per day of nutritionally balanced betta pellets or flakes.
Look for the first few ingredients to contain whole fish or seafood like shrimp. Avoid fillers like wheat, soy, and corn.
In addition to the staple dry foods, bettas benefit greatly from getting frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp 1-2 times per week. This extra protein and nutrients enhances their vibrant colors and finnage.
You can also supplement with blanched vegetables like peas and zucchini which aids their digestion. Adjust feeding amounts based on the betta’s age and appetite, being careful not to overfeed.
Signs of Healthy Development
With proper care in an enriched habitat and nutrition, betta fish from Petsmart will thrive beautifully. Signs that your betta is growing and maturing well include:
- Bright, vibrant colors
- Fully spreading fins
- Clear, bright eyes
- Responding enthusiastically at feeding times
- Displaying normal behaviors like swimming, resting, and bubble nest building
Your betta’s growth and life stages can vary a bit depending on care, genetics, and other factors. But generally, a healthy betta from Petsmart will live 3-5 years. Females tend to live a bit longer than males. With excellent care, some bettas have been known to live up to 7-9 years!
Conclusion
Now that you know more about betta lifespans and maturity, you can make an informed decision when purchasing one of these fish from your local Petsmart. A healthy, active betta 4-12 months old will live a long, full life in your home aquarium with proper care. Enjoy your new swimming friend!
