Worried about my betta

[Reen]

The current is diverted because he would get caught in it.
I would like to treat him but I don't really know what he has and I don't want to mess up. I bought medicine for swim bladder disease though, but I haven't added it.

[Reen]

I made this so it's clearer:

He was in his 5 gallon tank for a week and a half without a heater because the people at the shop told me I didn't need one; I did some research and corrected this 3 days ago. Before that he was ok, swimming around, eating, being active. Then I put the heater in and a new plant, and he was just fine at first. I also did a 50% water change because I bought a gravel cleaner that sucks water out. Then the morning after putting the heater in and doing the water change he started getting lethargic; spitting out his food and resting at the bottom of the tank or on the new plant a lot. Today and last night he just sits on the gravel with his fins clamped tighly. He swims from time to time to get some air at the surface but sinks back down instantly. He also developed a discolouration on his belly. I don't know what to do. I thought it was swim bladder disease but he's not bloated.


SYMPTOMS
Appearance Changes: Clamped fins, white discolouration on belly.
Behavior Changes: Stays at bottom of the tank, supporting his body with the gravel or plants. Only swims up to breathe and then back down.
Eating Habits: Spits out about half the food.
Other: -

WATER STATS
Ammonia:-
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
pH: 6.4
Hardness: 0
Alkalinity:-
Time you noticed the illness: Day before yesterday

TANK
Size: 5 Gallons
Temp: 27 ºC/ 80.6 F
Filtration/Aeration: Aqua Internal 100 at minimum

HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
Frequency of Tank Cleaning: Once a week, 35% of the water.
Water Additives: API goldfish protect and API goldfish aquarium cleaner.
Feeding (food type/frequency): JBL Betta flakes, a small amount parted in two meals, one in the morning and one at around 5 pm.
Tank Mates: None

TREATMENT
Any treatment so far and when: Currently not feeding him to give him a quarter of a pea tomorrow.
Put Tetra Ammonia Safe in the water.

HISTORY
List any past health problems: Nothing

[Sivan]

Hello!

Okay, looking at the information...perhaps some small changes can help.

First, for a CYCLED 5 gallon tank there should be a 50% water change once a week. I am not sure if the tank is cycled based off your information but if not then a 50% change and a 100% change are needed during the week.

Do you see any inflation on any parts of his body at all? Has he lost color?

The problem may be something in the tank. I recommend isolating him for a while in a smaller tank, placing him in a quarantine tank with nothing else but the heater and a thermometer. My boy acted similarly and healed after isolation just to fall to sickness again. It turned out the gravel was the problem, since for some reason it was making him sick and I believe its because there was something in the paint that was used to coat it that made a problem. I switched to non-painted "river rock" style gravel from PetSmart.

Do not administer medication unless you can determine what is wrong.

Also, giving a pea to a betta fish is controversial. I remember reading here that it is a goldfish only trick and it can have some sort of negative effect on a betta but someone else will have to support this information because it is a technique that I do not use. Betta fish are carnivores and giving one a vegetable does not sound like it would help, in my opinion.

I am curious as to the use of goldfish products...I do not have goldfish but I wonder if they are a problem? Since I am unfamiliar with them I cannot give a concrete answer but I would use a general water conditioner such as SeaChem Prime or API Stress Coat before using one tailored to a specific species of fish that is not my own but I am not sure if it truly does make a difference.

What sort of plant is it? Live or fake?

[Perseusmom]

Reen sorry your betta is still not feeling well. Sivan gave you some great advice and I cant really think of anything to add to it. Good luck I hope he feels better soon !

[Reen]

It's a miracle!! I came home from work and he's way better.
He's swimming around, though he still goes down to rest on the gravel from time to time but he's so so active it's unreal. Also his fins are slowly spreading again! I'm so happy!!!

[Perseusmom]

Yeaaaaaa so happy he is doing so such better !!!