Dear Fellow Kentuckian,
You have one of my very favorite fish when you have a Betta. I started out with a ten gallon tank back around 1974 (yeah, I'm an older guy, 59) and I had quite a few over a period of six years or so. One thing you have to watch for is the fact that, although Tatsu is laid back, some other fish which you don't have now, may not be, particularly any of the Barbs or the Gobis. A Bumble Bee Gobi will quickly become a fin nipper and Tatsu wouldn't have a tail after a few days. You probably already know this but I thought I'd bring it up, just in case.
Tatsu's a really handsome lad. I love his colors. I don't have a tank now but if I ever do get another one, I'd love to see if I could find a black one. Back in the Seventies, there were a few mostly black Bettas but they couldn't get rid of the little red "ties" in the front which hang down. Now, I believe, they're all black.
I used to carry a tiny mirror in my wallet which I made when I worked at a glass company back then. It was only about 1/2/ x 1 inch and after I finished the edges so they weren't sharp, I could safely keep it in my billfold with one thing in mind- I used it to test out a Bettas fighting attitude before I bought one. I didn't buy Bettas to fight them but I did want them to be aggressive if they saw another Betta. Bettas have a habit of coming toward the glass when they see someone and when I'd slip the mirror in front of one, he'd either get all wound up and want to fight or he'd turn away and look for a place to hide. I never bought a "hider". )
Well, I'm finished, my friend. I hope you have your friend Tatsu for a long time to come. May the Lord bless you and all your loved ones, and all your pets, whatever they maybe.
My love to all in Jesus,
Jim Grayson
Lexington, Kentucky
U.S.A.