This is the first time I've opened this thread and I read most of it. From the start I knew you were going to do wonderful things with HB! HE reminds me of my Hughie, a VT male I took home that looked JUST like HB and his condition. Hughie had severe swim bladder issue, he was floating upside down and in such bad shape that his body twisted. He was my first rescue, and he pulled through and did amazing. Turned out to be a beaut just like your boy. Congrats!! Sometimes we lose them, but when a story like this happens... makes it all worth while.
And psstt if you're gonna be pulling these babies in, get yourself from Indian Almond Leaves from Amy Lim on Ebay. I swear by them, they have helped me save so many Bettas.