Crowntail Siamese fighting fish?

Question

I want to get a Siamese fighting fish for my tank.

I had one in there before but he got stuck in some fake corral and died. Ive taken that out and i no longer have my guppies and the species i have left are bottom to middle swimming fish so i want a top swimmer.

I like the look of the crowntail type but havent seen any in my local shops, are they rare? does anyone know where in South Wales i can get one?

Here is a photo of a crowntail type.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccked/24837891/

And before any one says they will kill the other fish, they dont males fight other male fighters, or simaler looking fish.

"Male bettas can also be aggressive towards fish of other species with red or blue colouration, but otherwise they (and the modest brown-coloured females) are actually quite peaceful, agreeable tropical fish capable of enjoying company."

http://www.tropicalfishexpert.co.uk/Bettas.html

And the tank is big enouth for another fish, (ive done exotics in all of my animal care courses)

Answer 1

Hi,i run an aquatic store in the midlands and we can regularly get ct's. They don't sem to be rare. If you really struggle and are around the area let me know.

Tom

Answer 2

Whether you'll be able to find a CT depends on the quality of your local aquatics stores and their wholesalers. Go in and ask.

Make sure you don't have any fin nippers as tankmates, CT's are prone to being nibbled

Also, if you have any slow moving fish you'll have to watch your CT carefully as they are known for having a bit more of an attitude than more common bettas like veiltails. They can be quite difficult to breed, I had one from a breeder, she'd given up on him after 3 attempts at breeding him and each time he'd killed the female. (He was aptly named Damien). He was not an isolated incident in the world of CT's!

Check out this forum and see if there are any breeders near you:

Http://forum.ukbetta.co.uk/

Edit: No Red-Finned Shark with bettas! Bettas are too curious and will venture all over the tank, if he gets in the way of that "shark", which is highly territorial, he could easily be fatally injured!