Yes he can be bloated from food, from constipation, from internal parasites. So fast him for 2 days and see if he is better. If he is better then we found what was the problem. Do you know how many pellet you fed him?If you can find frozen daphnia in the pet store it will help with constipation. If he will not get better then we have to figure out what is the problem.
The fact that you wrote that you have issue to vacuum the gravel is really a problem though. You really need to get all that debris out or he can get infections. Also bloating sometimes can be due to the internal bacteria.So if you can't vacuum you either need to change the water without cycling the tank or transfer him to smaller tank and do 1-50% and 1-100% water changes a week.
I would transfer him to smaller tank any way so you can watch his poop . With Epsom salt you need to do daily 100% water changes so you really better to transfer him any way . Pre mix epsom salt 2tsp/gall first and make sure it dissolved. When you change him make sure new water approximately the same temperature as his so you don't shock him with drastic temperature difference, it very important. Just keep adding a little bit new water to the changing cup and let him get used to new water temperature /chemistry for a few minutes , do it for 3-4 times .