Oh I had a betta a long time ago, but the recent betta bug started in 2004 also. Since I was in my second year of college and I missed having a pet I got into fish again. I currently have 5 bettas, 1 male and 4 females. Since 2004 I had 3 males and 7 females. 1 male died of old age, another I gave away, 1 female of old age, 1 of aggression, and 1 I gave back to the store because of aggression. The rest I still have.
PS: there is a gorgeous white double tail female at the local store and just maybe I can scrape together enough money for her. Maybe I'll have ten bucks after gassing up my hungry car.