Odd Bump on my Bettas Head

My betta fish, Sam, who lives in a planted 10 gallon with two nerite snails, has a bump on his head, above his eyes. I’ve had him for about a month and a half, and I first noticed it last night, as he had become quite upset about his reflection, but seems to be less angry with it today, as I diffused the light, and lessened the reflection. So, of course, the question is, what is this bump? It doesn’t look discoloured at all, and I would almost compare the way it looks to the wen on a ranchu goldfish.

 

Hi,

Pretty little guy from what I can see of him! It could be a genetic abnormality, or maybe some form of internal tumor.

Can you get a shot of his face looking at the camera? Just wondering how that would look. Are his lips affected in any way?

 

I was wondering if it could be just be genetic, because as you’ve noticed, his lips aren’t like a normal fish’s. It’s more like a traditional mouth, more front oriented haha. It’s been like that since I got him, and it’s never bothered him. Here are a couple attempts from the front.

 

That definitely looks like pretty severe genetic deformity to me. In all honesty, that betta really should’ve been a cull.

 

Interesting. Any ideas on what the future might look like for him?

 

As long as they’re eating and happy, I’d say they could live a totally normal life. They may have internal problems if their outside is that deformed, but you’ll probably never know unless you perform a necropsy. Obviously don’t breed them, don’t want those genes passing down

 

Yeah, I agree that it is a deformity as well. He can really have a nice little betta life, though! I know that KG Tropicals will sell bettas with issues at a lower price, so it's like you are adopting one, rather than euthanizing them. So I guess there is a market for them, especially if they come from good breeders who just didn't want to cull them.

Sam is a cute little dude!!!