Losing Color and Tail

[schlamps1485]

Hey, I have a betta I rescued from Walmart about a year ago who isn't doing well. He's lost nearly all of his blue/green color, now turning red and brown with a whitish face. His tail is a lot shorter than it used to be, which I thought was fin rot. I treated him for fin rot a few months ago, with little success. Now he's looking even worse and I'm really worried about him!
Here's the specs...

Currently
-1.5 gallon tank
-clean conditioned water with tetra aqua safe plus
-100% water changes at least once a week, but more than that now that he's so sick
-heater at about 76 degrees (usually about 80 on average, the room got colder)
-don't know what the pH/hardness or any other water quality readings are as I don't yet own a testing kit

History
-first noticed fin rot (black edges, receding tail) about 4 months ago
-treated with cleaner water and AQ salt
-increased AQ salt dosage treatment
-tried Jungle with little success

Signs/Symptoms
-reduced activity since illness (although improving with the addition of the heater)
-loss of color
-reddish brown color (instead of blue/green)
-severe fin loss
-greying/whitish face

He still swims around and is very interested in what is going on outside the tank (i.e. he'll flare at his reflection and responds to my finger against the glass). He's a great fish with a lot of personality, and I would really hate to lose him! We've grown very fond of each other :)

I would really appreciate any help you have to offer!

[HarpaBetta]

have you tried betta revive? that worked bet for my bettas! :( hope the little guy is doing fine.

[Wendyjo]

Can you post a pic?

[schlamps1485]

here's a photo of him a week ago... his color is actually looking pretty good in this picture by comparison to now.

[LeoTheLakerBetta]

Can't see the pic but it could be high ammonia/nitrite/nitrates..

He might have gotten better because of an increase in water changes.

Does your tank have a filter?

For a tank that size with a filter, you should be doing 2 water changes per week. At least 1 50% and 1 100% change each week. I do 2 100% for my smaller tanks but thats my preference.

You said your heater is at 76 it is an aquarium heater right? Some people just have their room temperature at that temp so just making sure...

[schlamps1485]

sorry the photo doesn't work... try right clicking on it and opening it in another window... that worked for me!

His tank is not filtered, but he does have an aquarium heater. Generally, it runs about 80 degrees but tonight it's only about 76 because the room is much colder here than back in the dorm room.

I've been kicking up the water changes and that seems to have helped his activity (and the heater is helping, too) but it doesn't seem like it's enough!

[Wendyjo]

Off topic, but Leo those budgies are gorgeous!