In really good conditions they can live over 5 years pretty easily. I
think the low estimate comes from lack of betta care knowledge. The
average person (with little or no fish keeping experience) is
encouraged to purchase a betta because they're "easy to keep and need
no special care". I fell for that back in the early days.

"He'll be happier in a tiny bowl", "just feed him these flakes", "he
doesn't need a heater", "change his water every couple of weeks." With
all this BS flowing out of the mouths of store employees everywhere,
it's no wonder they only live a couple of years at best.





"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ...
|| Your right, I've only had him a year, but he could be older,
|| not much older I think since I got him from walmart and
|| I think they must have a connection straight to a breeder.
|| I didn't know they have such short lives, how long?
|| ...Kodiak

That's been a long debate over how old they are when you get them.... VERY
hard to determine....

Here's my take on it... I try and KNOW when the LFS gets them, mine actually
gave me the birth date of my "Bob da betta", so I actually know... mine is
going on 3 now.... he's turning a bit gray around his face, which I saw on
another betta when I first got into the hobby.... I got him and his face was
already graying... a year later he died... I learned that it was from old
age, and they really only live for 3-4 years if kept in perfect
conditions....

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