Rescuing Betta Fish

Question
Hi, I have a question about rescuing betta fish. Every time I go into a pet
store, I feel completely awful at the conditions of the betta fish. Most of them
are half dead in tiny jars with filthy water, I'm sure you've seen these
conditions. Whenever I buy a new betta (I usually only have one or two at a
time), I lean towards the sickly ones. They almost always perk up and turn out
beautifully, and on the off chance they don't make it, they die in much more
comfortable conditions. I once had one that was very sick looking and ended
up a gorgeous copper/bronze color with blue fin tips. I'm interested in
starting a "betta rescue", I'd like to rescue 5 to 10 bettas at a time (my local
pet store has around 5 bettas for sale at all times). Any tips on bowl size?
General betta care? Opinions on this "rescue"? Thanks very much in advance!
Caitlin

Answer
Hi Caitlin,
How sweet you are, and kind of you to want to care for Bettas. Bless your heart.  I understand you very well,  unfortunately, most shops pay very little for bettas, and have them shipped in by the hundreds.  We don't see the half of it.  They don't care if they die as they hardly pay anything for them.  It turns my stomach over when I see them in these small dirty bowls too.  The betta, along with the oscar are some of the most mistreated fish on the market, and there is no law to protect these fish.  The bettas arrive in the smallest plastic bags I have ever seen, about 2 inches by 2 inches with just enough water to cover their bodies.  I have seen it, and I wish I hadn't as it will always remain in my mind.  The more you rescue, the more they will ship in, and it's a no win situation.  When we talk to our governments about this, they laugh at us, call us fish nuts etc.  I'm happy that there are people like you who care for fish, especially the betta who is so misunderstood.  
It is a lie that a Betta will live happily in a small container.  They are miserable and their life is cut short.  A Betta needs room to swim.  In their habitat, the water may be shallow, but they have lots of room to swim.   A 2 1/2 gallon is the smallest where he would be a little comfortable, but 5 gallons are best.  He needs warmth, he is a tropical fish.  His temperature should be between 78-80 degrees.  A cold betta gets sick, and dies.  His tank should always be free of ammonia, and nitrates, and water changes every week or twice a week with a good conditioner is very important.
A betta must have a good diet.  He should have Betta Pellets one day, Betta Flakes the next, Daphnia the next, and Bloodworms once a week as a treat.  He should be fed 2-3 small meals a day - example:  2 pellets for one meal.  His eye is the size of his tummy, so it is better to give him three small meals a day instead of one big meal. He should fast one day a week, and on that day he should be given a cooked frozen pea.  This is to prevent constipation which leads to Swim Bladder disease often found in bettas.  You cook a frozen pea until it is well cooked, and tender, remove the outer layer, and cut in tiny pieces.  You feed this to your betta one piece at a time, making sure he eats it.  Sometimes you have to tease him a little for him to eat it...but usually they do eat the pea.  
Bettas are intelligent little fish, and if kept well, will be your friend for a long time.  Some have lived up to 8 years, but they were bought from a breeder, knew their age, and were well kept.
I don't want to discourage you on your "rescue"  I wish it would work, but knowing how this market works, it's a dead end.  You would be encouraging the Shops to order more, and more bettas.  The best thing you can do for bettas is buying one, or two, treat them well, knowing that you are doing your best for them.  Giving awareness would be a big help to them.  Maybe you could start something at your school...making people aware of this beautiful fish, how they should be kept, diet, and so on.  
I receive many letters, and I am amazed at how little people know about the betta.  They are getting wrong information from the seller himself.
Maybe if enough people knew how to care for bettas, they wouldn't die, and the shops would have to order less.  
I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions dear, just write me, and I will try to help you as much as I can.
Lynda