Hello everyone! First post here, mostly because I'm really panicking about the fact I think my betta is sick. His name is Moose, and I rescued him from Walmart around Christmas time. I found Moose behind the rest of the bettas with cereal poured into his cup. I'm sure he wouldn't have survived much longer if I hadn't taken him out of there. Anyways, it's been about six months since I've had him. He's usually very active and eats well, but I've been noticing a change in his behavior for the last few days. He stays at the bottom of his tank and only comes up when I approach him or to breathe at the top. He also has a lump on his chest, though I suspect this to be from overfeeding.
Here are the questions I've answered to seek help:
Housing
What size is your tank? 5 Gallon
What temperature is your tank? Unsure, room temperature
Does your tank have a filter? Yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? TetraBetta Mini Pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? Everyday (only two pellets)... which I see now could be a mistake
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Every few months, the filter does most of the job
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? All water
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? I can't remember??? I know there's something, though
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? Haven't tested his water
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Clamped fins, lump on his chest
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Doesn't swim as much as he used to, stays on the bottom only to greet me
When did you start noticing the symptoms? A few days ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? I haven't engaged in treatment yet due to not knowing exactly whats happening
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No? I don't think so unless you count the condition I found him in.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Unsure, bought six months ago
Here are some pictures of him. You can see the small lump on his chest.
I'm really worried about him. He is my sweet boy and I just want to know what's going on.
Here are the questions I've answered to seek help:
Housing
What size is your tank? 5 Gallon
What temperature is your tank? Unsure, room temperature
Does your tank have a filter? Yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? TetraBetta Mini Pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? Everyday (only two pellets)... which I see now could be a mistake
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Every few months, the filter does most of the job
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? All water
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? I can't remember??? I know there's something, though
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters? Haven't tested his water
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Clamped fins, lump on his chest
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Doesn't swim as much as he used to, stays on the bottom only to greet me
When did you start noticing the symptoms? A few days ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? I haven't engaged in treatment yet due to not knowing exactly whats happening
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No? I don't think so unless you count the condition I found him in.
How old is your fish (approximately)? Unsure, bought six months ago
Here are some pictures of him. You can see the small lump on his chest.


I'm really worried about him. He is my sweet boy and I just want to know what's going on.