I grew up with a fossilis cat fish. My mom bought him when she was a student. He celebrated an 18th birthday and I was so sad when he died(RIP, Pancho). I was 14 at the time. Don't think that just because it's a fish it doesn't deserve to be cared for and loved. It's got it's own unique personality, it's special, it's a pet, just like any other. If you love your iguana, parakeet or fancy rat, then you can love a fish as well.

I used to hate how fighting fish were kept in my local petsathome (fortunately better now). They were in yoghurt-pot sized pots on a rack and would frequently jump out. When I was about 7/8 I saw a little boy waiting for them to jump out then stamping on them and I punched him so hard. I wouldn't leave until my mum and I gave the staff a piece of our minds.

Really sweet! When I was 10 or something I had a betta named Blue. He would swim up and eat from my hand, and like this guy here would let you pet him. Bettas are beautiful fish, and great pets. Although I have to say, isn’t this fish a he, not a she? Females don’t really have guns like that.

That is the worst way you can treat a pet. Just because the color or something is displeasing, doesn’t mean you can let it die! That is extremely rude! You are so kind to have taken in that beautiful fish!

My boyfriend and I save fish from Petsmart all the time. We had 12 beta fish at once. And of course, they have to stay separated, so it was a mess but totally worth it. One of them only had one eye. They really don't give a f**k about their fish.

It took me a while to get that his finger is not that fish :D

I despise the way pet stores keep fish and promote their poor care. There is no fish that should be housed in less than five gallons, so those tiny little betta tanks should not even be on store shelves and just because betta are capable of living in small bodies of water during dry seasons does not mean that is their typical environment. They should not be kept that way.

PetSmart doesn't hire animal experts: they hire clerks who like animals. Rather like a hospital hiring clerks who like medicine, rather than doctors who know about it.

Love that you rescued such a little character! Shame on Petsmart, but as the name suggests, the pets they sell are smarter than the staff. I wish you many happy years with your little badass x

That fish is very pretty!

I think he picked this up as a service animal.

We are bouncing on bubble nests with you "Guy!!" A huge round of applause with a standing ovation from our household. You bought yourself a ray a sunshine that is forever grateful and thankful to you... as are we. :D! :D! Your compassion and caring for him is an example many can follow. Another great thing you did in your well-stated rant is name PetSmart. The salesperson who said that should be fired or at least not work with the public any more. The entire pet staff have to pass tests before working in the section of the store. Many people don't care about pets but rather care about cleaning products. Fine. Let them work in that section. No one or store has the right to treat ANY creature in this manner. It's sick and degrading to all. Bettas, like many other fish, DO have their own personalities and are very, very, cool! It sounds like you know your sh*t when it comes to them! All the males have the fancy tails (fins). CHEERS! WELL DONE and thanks for sharing!!!

aww that's lovely.

Awesome story! But, Bored Panda, this Betta is a MALE! Females have shorter fins.

That is a MALE, which means it is a HE, not a HER. GOOD GOD! Great article other then the blatant disregard for getting the fish's gender correct. Even the awesome guy who bought and saved the fish called it a he.

It's a cute article, but buying animals from places like Petsmart etc only encourages one of the filthiest, cruelest trades in the business. You might want to do some research on the conditions ALL the animals in pet shops come from, where they are "raised," how they are transported. It would make a maggot gag. These animals, from fish to birds, to geckos, to guinea pigs if they could only speak would beg you to STOP BUYING ANY LIVING THINGS from PetSmart or ANY pet shop. Just stop!

The fish is a HE not a she, and the bubble nest means he wants a woman so he can put her eggs in his nest and care for them.

This guy is fierce AF! Anyone that loves animals like this (ANY kind of animal) is alright in my book. Thanks for rescuing this little ray of Sunshine. She/he needed you and you stepped up. You're my hero!!!! (Also, BOOO to Petsmart and their horrible treatment of animals in their care. They should be ashamed!)

These Bettas are male fish. The females have short fins and less color. Beauty he is! Congratulations on your new buddy!

At least he has a beta life. 😀

Very passionate about betta fish.

Awww - so glad the fish found a great owner who happens to be hilarious.

HIM the fish is a MALE

THIS IS IS SOOOOOOOOO AMAZING IT INSPIRED ME AND I WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE! it just breaks me how pet stores mistreat there fish... 🖤💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

The betta we adopted from petsmart had fin rot to. He’s doing great now and he’s grown bigger and more vibrant.

Years & years ago my mother bought a Llasa puppy. Took him to the Vet. right away for first check up. He was full of worms. He had bilateral ear infections. He had an elevated temperature. He couldn't regulate his temp. His temp. went up & down. He cried & cried. Whimpering he would drag himself to the water & look. He wouldn't drink, or eat. Mama spoke with the Vet. again. One of the tests showed that his bowls weren't functioning properly. His eyes were blurry with a film over them. His eyes ran. He we Miserable. She couldn't stand by anymore. They went to the Vet. again - for the last time. He was a PETLAND-Puppy. Mama called him "Tuffy". Poor guy had to be.

Everyone keeps calling this fish a her, but I am pretty sure it's a him.

That's a male fish. I used to raise them. the female lays the eggs, and the male blows them into the bubble nest he builds.

thank you for saving this beautiful animal from that horror show!

Soooooooo Glad you did this! ! Not sure if it's been said yet....but you have a BOY siamese fish :) females are not nearly as pretty :) just wanted you to know in case you didn't :)

Aside from the fact that that's a him, not a her (male blows the nest, not the female--I raised the suckers as a school project and NEVER AGAIN, the fry are a pain to raise!) I loved the rant. But--'didn't want to be alone in my room again'? Oo-kay.

Wonderful! I just got my first beta fish and can say now say with certainty that fish are just as personable as any other pet! My little one has a little bedroom he goes to, and as soon as he sees me he comes swimming right up to me for food :)

I had a betta once! We named her/him Blue moon, I loved him and cried for like a day when he died, then we got a fish at the fair for free and DAMN this gold fish was a beast! He seemed really happy in his small fish bowl! I do feel really bad because I didn’t always remember to feed him but he held on for 3 years! One time I forgot to feed him for 1 months and he was still as happy as ever but I still feel bad for not feeding him.

One of my favourites on tumblr.

it's a he fish not a her fish

My new hero!

I love this guy & support him in everyway! I have shared this post on my Facebook and also commented on it because I agree with his rant and wish I would have wanted about it sooner myself. What a good hearted human being that guy is.

So glad that you found each other. What a nice guy you are.

who else wants to pet that fish now lmao

He did no favor to the fish that will replace that one he took. Animals at pet stores come from terrible conditions. If you buy an animal at such store, you give money to animal abusers who will just breed another five miserable animals to replace the one you bought. And it will never end.