What Is wrong with my Betta?

[Ella.1234]

Hello! I’m new to owning fish, please give me any advice, I need it all! It was not planned to own this dude but here I am. Long story short a friend was going to throw him out if I didn’t take him.

Fin Issues:
I’ve noticed he keeps his fins clamped (I think that’s the word?), they’re always close to him and not spread out like I see other people’s bettas tend to do.
As well as they seem to be shorter and curling at the ends. I’m worried it’s Fin rot.
I’ve already tried the Fritz Bacter Sheild treatment since it said it helps with fin rot, but I haven’t noticed a difference.

Body issues (Picture #1) :
It’s not very visible, but there’s a weird white bump with a small black centre, it weirdly looks like a blackhead? but for a fish? I can’t seem to find what it is online and i’m worried it’s some sort of parasite that’s hurting his fins.

Behaviour concerns:
He may just be shy, but he refuses to eat if anyone is in the room. Maybe he swims more when i’m not around, but when i’m in the room he just sits somewhere against the glass at the surface, and swims away if I get too close.

He used to be fully white, but since I took him he’s turned more of a light pinky-purple colour. Is that normal?

I’m aware that the Betta minimum tank size is 5 gallons, but I hope that my current tank (picture 3) is good enough until I can afford a new larger tank. Currently he’s in a 3 gallon long aquarium, with a low flow filter. I keep his heater at 80°f. He has two live plants, Anubius and Java fern, a fake silk betta leaf, as well as two decor hide things. His only tank mates are mystery snails that I can’t seem to get rid of. I used the water from boiling Indian almond leaves to tan his water since I heard it was good for him. I feed him 4-6 Aqueon Betta pellets once a day in the morning. I also do a 50% water change every other week.

Give me any advice, I am eager to learn and do the best I can to help him be a happy and healthy betta!! Sorry for so many questions in one post, I’m just worried I’m making a poor fish suffer lmao

 

[Andy Sager]

Unfortunately, the curled fins is a genetic fault so there's nothing you can do for it. The lump or bump is most likely a tumor which has become a more common issue with Bettas. There's nothing you can do about that either. In pic #1 the fish appears to be sitting under a bubble nest which is what the fish made and because of that, the fish is as healthy as he can be. Sick bettas do not blow bubble nests.
As for the shyness, all fish eventually get used to who feeds them. It's going to take some time for him to get used to you because you are a stranger to him and not who he was used to feeding him. I'd also feed less pellets at one time but feed the fish at least twice a day. I'd also do a 25% water change weekly rather than a 50% every other week. Clean water is the best thing to keep bettas healthy.
As for the coloring, Betta scales have 3 layers and as the fish matures, the scales grow and change the fish's color. Again, it's normal. So the fish is not going to win any ribbons at the fair but still has some life in him. The average age for a betta is 3-5 years. Unless you know how long your friend had him you may not have him for long. There's no way of knowing just how long.
As for the tank size, the commercial Betta breeders keep their breeders in 1 gallon tanks so that 5 gallon minimum is just an opinion and unnecessary. Your 3 gallon tank will work just fine. I've raised thousands of Bettas in smaller tanks than that.

Hope this helps.