Finally an imbellis!

[side19]

after about 6 years of looking i finally found one! i was at possibly the worst lfs around (was desperate to find panda garra and they normally have really rare fish, but are in horrible conditions and normally pretty sick) the other day, and after getting let down by yet another store in my search for the holy grail, i mean, a panda garra, i decided to take a look at their bettas becuase they occasionally have some really cool ones. so they had a shelf that said "XL round tails" and i took a look. i couldn't believe my eyes. right in from was a dazzling imbellis. i picked it up and didn't even bother asking the price (turns out it was $15) and walked straight over to pay. i've been looking for imbellis for over 6 years now and i absolutely love them. my favorite species of betta by far. so i looked it over and discovered my little treasure was a girl, and promptly named her Bella (Bella the imbellis) and set up a little tank in my dorm for her. she's living in a 1.5 gallon tank by herself which is pretty heavily planted and seems to be loving it. she's absolutely gorgeous. i'll post pics up tomorrow once my camera has finished charging (finally got it back from my girlfriend). i'm so excited i finally found an imbellis. i hate to say it but i might have to go back a little more often to see if i can score a couple more or maybe even a male.

[~reefchik~]

I'm going to go Google what an imbellis is, but I'm just because I thought your post was titled 'Finally an imbecile' when I first saw it and I was like, WTH???

Actually I don't know what a panda garra is either, but - hey, congrats!!

[pufferpuggirl]

I am familiar with Panda Garra and have been tempted to get them in the past. I have heard they are very cool fish to have, but as I didn't have a tank set up the way I think they would appreciate, I put off getting any.

Now, I will admit that I have no clue what an imbellis is, so will be interesting to find out.

[side19]

an imbellis is a wild strand of betta. they are actually peaceful to their own species and form packs with a social hierarchy, lead by an alhpa male. they are sometimes called peaceful bettas or crescent bettas. after doing a little more research beyond just how to care for them i found out they are thought to be the oldest species of betta, and that betta splendens evolved from them. scientists also believe now that betta rubra is the same species as betta imbellis just inaccurately identified.

UPDATE:

here are a few quick pics i snapped of her before she woke up today.

[xrayjeeper83]

very pretty

[LilGreenPuffer]

Betta imbellis are neat fish. My halfmoons are a cross between imbellis and splendens. Congratulations on finding one in a pet store! I've never seen them except in pictures and for sale online.

[side19]

thanks. i'm so glad i i found her. i'm going to go back this weekend to try and find a male. i would love to start breeding imbellis.

[side19]

ok so has anyone ever actually kept one of these? her behavior is confusing me. she's much more inquisitive than any betta i've ever had, and breathes from the surface alot more too. she also only ever really moves in small stutters. like swims a little, then stops, then swims a little further, and stops. and really like to investigate the gravel nose first (then go back to swimming right, so i know its not that something is wrong with her). also what do you feed yours? is hikari betta bio-gold good for them? i use it on all my other bettas and its great for them, but is it good for a wild type or no?

[~reefchik~]

Very attractive fish. I googled them and the males are really gorgeous! Good find.

[Brent]

thanks. i'm so glad i i found her. i'm going to go back this weekend to try and find a male. i would love to start breeding imbellis.

Aquabid often has Imbellis listed for sale. If you can't find one locally, you'll probably be able to get one (or more for a group!) there.

I'm personally keeping my eye out for Betta Rutilans.

[lilacamy931]

Congrats on the gorgeous find, they are so hard to come by! I have had many bettas myself but never an imbellis. I used to know someone who bred them and he fed on bloodworm and hikari so I think you are good. Perhaps she is settling in at the moment so just keep eye on her and plenty of good food and water!

[side19]

so a little update. she's doing great. i just fed her too much that one day cut it back to 2 pellets once a day and she's doing great. she's even started to beg for food (i think she learned from Ra, their tanks are right next to each other). Didn't get a chance to go back last weekend, but will soon. and thanks for the heads up on aquabid. i've seen them there alot but have always help off because of the shipping costs. anyway once i get all my new tanks i'm going to move her up to the 10 gallon Ra is in (moving him to a 20 with the gobies) and getting her some tank mates so i can have a pack. i'm still so happy with this find, she's such a cool little fish.

[side19]

so i got to go back to the store yesterday and guess what, I FOUND A MALE! the last one there! i can't believe it. he's in great shape. so i picked up a larger tank (just over 3 gallons) and he (his name is Jacob, my best friend made me do it in homage to Twilight even though i hate those movies) and Bella are living together and perfectly happy. both of them have very vibrant colors and never leave each others side. i think i'm even seeing vertical barring on Bella! here are a few pics of the happy couple and Jacob so you can all take a look.

[side19]

so a little update a a quick question. everything is going fine except for the fat jacob is a little too eager in his amting attempts and has managed to make a few tears in bella's fins. i know melafix is bad for labyrinth fish so my question is what can i add to help her fins heal and about how long will it take? i've heard aquarium salt works wonders and have some on hand, but again how long will it take. i'm thinking it might not even be jacob ripping her fins but the plants when she darts away from him so i'm going to try and get some silk plants to replace the plastic ones i have now.