Betta Fish: My betta’s glow up :)

This is Frankie — I got him (for free) from Petco the week before Christmas, while shopping for cat food. I hadn’t kept fish in years, but when I saw him I knew I couldn’t leave him behind. He was labeled as a “bumblebee betta” and to think they’d wanted $25 for him… thankfully the worker was sympathetic and had no issue with handing him off to me for no cost.

He was emaciated and lethargic when he first came home with me — he was definitely suffering with swim bladder disease, and could barely move himself from the bottom of the tank. I believe his front fins have permanent deformities, likely from being stuck laying on the bottom of his cup for so long.

Anyway just wanted to share his little glow up — it’s truly been such a rewarding and fun experience, setting up my first planted tank and creating a beautiful home for him. I’m working on setting up 2 more tanks now too 🙈 he’s inspired me to get into this hobby and I’ve been loving every day of it! He’s in a 6.8 long now, but soon he’ll be getting a 20 gallon upgrade and I hope to see him thrive even more!