Where Do Petco And PetSmart Bettas Come From? A Look Inside The Global Betta Fish Supply Chain

By Lori Flint

Betta fish are among the most popular freshwater pets sold in the United States, commonly found at major retailers like Petco and PetSmart. While they are often marketed as easy, low-maintenance pets, their journey to store shelves involves a complex global supply chain. Understanding where pet store bettas come from reveals a system driven by mass production, international trade, and efficiency.

Betta Fish Origins: Thailand’s Role in Global Supply

The majority of betta fish sold worldwide are bred in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, which is widely recognized as a global center of betta production. The country exports millions of ornamental fish each year, with bettas representing a significant portion of that trade. Thailand’s warm climate, established breeding expertise, and export infrastructure make it especially well-suited to large-scale ornamental fish production.

Betta breeding operations vary widely. Some are small, family-run farms, while others are larger commercial enterprises producing fish in high volumes for export markets. Across these operations, breeders selectively produce fish with bright colors, large fins, and distinct patterns, traits that are especially desirable in the retail pet trade.

How Petco and PetSmart Source Betta Fish

Publicly available information indicates that companies like Petco and PetSmart typically do not breed their own fish. Instead, they rely on third-party suppliers within the ornamental fish industry. The standard supply chain generally follows this structure:

Breeder → Exporter → U.S. Importer/Wholesaler → Retail Store

Exporters in countries like Thailand coordinate collecting, grading, and packaging betta fish for international shipment. These exporters must meet regulatory requirements, including health certifications and export documentation. Fish are then shipped to importers or wholesalers in the United States, who distribute them to retail locations nationwide.

While this model is widely documented across the ornamental fish trade, specific supplier relationships for individual retailers are not always publicly disclosed.

Betta fish are shipped abroad in small plastic bags. Photo of betta fish shipment shared by a Petco employee.

Welfare Concerns and Industry Criticism

Animal welfare in the betta fish trade has been the subject of ongoing debate. Investigations by organizations such as PETA have documented conditions at certain breeding facilities in Thailand, including fish kept in small containers, poor water quality, and mortality during both the breeding and shipping stages. These reports have raised concerns about how large-scale production may impact fish health and welfare.

PETA’s findings highlight broader concerns about the welfare implications of a mass-production system. Independent sources confirm that the industry prioritizes efficiency and scale, which can impact fish health at every level of the supply chain.

From Distribution Centers to Store Shelves

After arriving in the United States, bettas are processed through distribution centers before being shipped to stores like Petco and PetSmart. By the time they reach retail shelves, these fish have experienced multiple stages of stressful handling and transport, leading to weaker immune systems and health issues.

Additionally, bettas are commonly displayed in small plastic cups at stores. Retailers often describe this as temporary housing, but critics argue it reflects the same efficiency-driven practices seen throughout the supply chain.

Conclusion: A Global, High-Volume Industry

In summary, betta fish sold at Petco and PetSmart are typically bred in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, and then exported through a global network of suppliers, importers, and wholesalers before reaching U.S. stores. This system allows retailers to offer affordable and widely available fish, but it also reflects a supply chain built on large-scale production and international logistics.

While industry practices vary, the betta fish trade continues to face scrutiny as consumers become more aware of how these animals are bred, transported, and sold. Understanding this supply chain provides important context for evaluating both the accessibility and the ethical considerations of buying betta fish as pets.

Sources:

• Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University. Betta Fish Farming in Thailand. 2012. 

• Ornamental Fish Exporter. Global Ornamental Fish Trade Practices. n.d. 

• PETA. Petco’s Betta Fish Supplier in Thailand Investigation. 2023. https://investigations.peta.org/petco-betta-fish-supplier-thailand/ 

• Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Ornamental Fish Trade in Southeast Asia. 2017.

This article was written by Lori Flint.