[header] How to keep a betta fish alive for 4 years [title] Choose your betta carefully. [step] Try supporting local businesses that take good care of their fish instead of big chain pet stores. Local pet store and online bettas usually have better genetics than the ones that come from the fish farms that supply pet store chains. 
Genes play a large role in betta health. Young bettas are brightly colored and have long, flowing tails; as they get older, their colors dull.