Betta is Sick, Not sure what to do

[Peatea]

My betta fish appears to be sick, and I'm not sure what to do.

My fish is in a 1 gallon, filtered, heated tank. His temperature is kept at a steady 80 degrees, he also has an air stone. His water is changed and treated with a conditioner once a week, and he is fed freeze dried blood worms and also pellets (not all at once).

Recently I noticed some dull spots on his body so I began treating him with pimafix, he healed well and we moved on. However, all of a sudden he is now very lethargic, hovering toward the top of his tank, or resting on the stones on the bottom, and he has a red spot on his back. He still eats, he still swims around anxiously when I approach the tank but for the most part he just lays there.

Pimafix doesn't seem to be helping him anymore so I've been looking at adding aquarium salt, or possibly Lifeguard All-in-One Freshwater treatment. Any suggestions?

[Olympia]

Hi there Peatea,
Sorry to hear about your little betta. Can you describe the red spot a little better (a photo would be great)? Does it look like a blister? Is it like a bump?

I'd start treating him with a teaspoon of aquarium salt in his 1 gallon tank, changing his water daily.

[Peatea]

Thanks! I will go buy some aquarium salt asap. I took some pictures but it is next to impossible to see the red spot on him from any of the angles I took. I'm still going to attach them so you can get a general idea of his coloring and listless appearance though.

[Olympia]

Aw, poor guy, does look sick.
Did he have fin rot? Or does he? His fins look short and tattered. The salt should help that too, as well as lot's of water changes.
Does he spend more time on the top or the bottom of the tank?

[Peatea]

I myself was wondering about fin rot because that is something that seemingly occurred when he became so lethargic. As odd as this sounds, he seems to spend equal time at the top and in his rocks. I know that sounds strange but I really haven't seen him concentrate on one spot more than the other.

[Olympia]

Hopefully the salt will help him.
I'd change all of his water daily (and replace the salt).
Might be a good idea to take out the gravel and such, leave a plant that he likes behind to hide in. Will make cleaning less of a hassle.

[Peatea]

Sounds good. Thank you very much!!!