I'm not sure if anyone knows much about fish but I thought I'd ask since I don't know what to do... I've had my Crowntail Betta, Spike, for about six months now without any problems. He's a spunky little fish with lots of attitude, as silly as that sounds, an has become a rather cherished part of my life.
I've recently moved in with my Aunt and she had three cats, I'm sure you can see where this is going. < ,<;;; Anyways, they've all left him alone for the most part until about a week ago. I was cleaning the 2.5 gallon take I keep him in when one of the cats got a hold of him while he was staying in a little cup. Luckily, I got him away and back into water before the cat (ironically named Mooch for her unsatisfiable appetite) was able to really harm him. However, he seems listless, nothing like his normal self, and has next to no appetite. He used to shoot to the top of the tank when ever he saw me take out the food container. Now he completely ignores all the food I give him.
I got some drops that are suppose to relieve stress and heal damaged scales (looks like a few scales are missing) but that hasn't helped so far.
I've noticed recently what started out as a small bulge on his belly almost directly below the gills. It's now slightly smaller in size then a dime and it's really starting to freak me out. I'm not sure what it is (it certainly wasn't there before) or what to do about it. Is my poor fishy going to be alright or do you think I'm going to be losing him soon? Is there anything I can do to make him feel better?