So yesterday I bought another male crowntail betta. He's a lovely fish really but even at the petstore I sensed something was wrong with him.

He just sat at the bottom of his cup, completely unwilling to move off of it, or unable, I'm not sure.

Well he's a bit more active in his much larger tank, but it seems it also makes noticing other irregularities easier. He has this habit of curving his body to one side. And he has a small bump on one side of his body, I wouldn't think much of it because it's slight and I would've thought it was something normal, but this bump is absent on the other side of his body and he always curves in the same direction.

He also is breathing constantly. It doesn't have to do with the water quality, all my levels are good and normal for a cycled tank, but he is constantly opening and closing his mouth. Snape doesn't do that (my other betta).

This fish clearly seems to have trouble swimming, constantly twisting his body and seems unwilling to swim too much. Preferring to slowly inch around the tank taking frequent breaks.

When I bought him I knew he wasn't perfectly healthy and I figured I could at least give him a small chance at survival and if not at least a better life even if only for a few days. But I'm wondering if any of you can help me pinpoint a possible condition and thereby a possible treatment.

I would really appreciate some help, I'm already rather attatched to this fish, his bright colours, and stunning eyes. Anyone?

is the bump a different color than the fish? if so go to kokos main page i think theres a disease like that there. as for not swimming much he might just be shy! all my new fish do that when fist get them! but i maybe wrong since im a newbie!

I'm not as familiar with bettas as I am with goldfish but I have some general knowledge of a fair number of fish ailments. Is there anyway you might be able to get a pic of the bump you're talking about? Also have you medicated for parasites and bacterial infections?

The bump isn't a different colour. Er, I don't know if I can get a proper picture of it. It's a very very small bump, but noticeable none the less. However it's hard to get it to show up in pictures.

It definately isn't on top of his skin but rather under, and towards the back, near his tail. It's like a small, slightly protruding oval bump on his left side.

EDIT: And I haven't done anything with medication. I've had a bad experience with parasite clear in the past and I don't fully trust it. So I don't know, if this really does sound like a parasite, I guess I'll just find another product or something but I'm terrifyed by those cancer warnings.

EDIT EDIT: One more note, it may mean nothing but his gills are blackish brown. It is probably just his colouring but the rest of his head is white and red so they seem out of place especially taking into account that colour doesn't show up anywhere else. You never know, that may be important. *shrug*

Gills on male bettas are usually darker as they are loose skin that they use to flare with.

As for the lump, bettas are prone to tumours so it sounds like this is whats going on.

Does this mean it'll keep growing? Or could it possibly just remain it's current size?

I've also just noticed a long string of bubbles against one side of his tank. I can only assume it's him building a bubble nest.

Since last night, Ariana seems to be looking or at least ACTING healthier. I'll admit he's moving around the tank less, preferring to stay in one spot or general area close to the top which is an improvement from his bottom sitting gasping. His breathing seems less, frantic. Sure he's hovering near the top but he's not sitting there gasping heavily for air. He isn't... writhing as much now, sure he'll still bend at the middle a little oddly but it's hardly the same kind of twisting just to get around like it was yesterday.

I don't know, he seems healthier and I think, though I have no real expertise... that if he was truly sick he wouldn't be building a bubble nest. Right? I mean if he was really sick he'd be completely apathetic. Once again no idea, that's why I'm so grateful to belong to a site like this.

The small bump is still there... but I'm beginning to think that whatever was ailing him and that bump had nothing to do with one another. I think he maybe just needed some fresh water, a bigger home, a bit of food, and some time. He's looking better, not perfect but There's a definate improvement. Even his swimming seems less laboured and more... fluid.