WOW, what a gorgeous little man you found, Erica (mwaha, us Erica's rawk )!!! the name Pirate totally suits him, his coloring is insaaane. Orangies are the cutest! He is a total find, and I'm sure he's over-joyed to be out of his tinsey W*M betta cup and in a big new bowl where he can actually turn around, LOL. And, yep, Bettas dont need a substrate so gravel is just there for looks and to hold plants/decorations in place. Orange or Aqua gravel/marbles would look sooo good with his coloring

It's great that you saved such a pretty, healthy Betta from a life that could be horrible... knowing W*M, he could've easily ended up being flushed, some stupid kids putting him in a cup with another Betta, or in a tiny 8 oz "Betta Keeper" for the rest of his life. Sadly, the reason W*M (and other close-kept, pet store) Bettas usually dont flare at each other is because they're just so mentally and physically drained, sick, or used to being in that situation that they lose their spirit and energy. However, after being in a large tank with clean water and good food, any Betta will become much more active and flarey. My W*M used to have 20+ Bettas on a shelf like you described, with people putting them together in the same cups, ALL with ragged tails or no tails at all, barely able to move in their cups, at least a few of them dead. I just went their last week and they had NO Bettas! I'd like to attribute that to me complaining and nagging my friend, who happens to work in the aquarium dept, and the store manager... but I dunno >.<

Aanyway, congrats on your new boy!! May you have many happy years together ... and feel free to post more pics... please? he he