Sinking Betta Fish... D:

[Kitfox]

Okay... My betta fish is over 4 years old.

He sinks to the bottom of the tank and just sits there... He struggles to swim to the surface for air and food.
Now, this seems to be a swim bladder disorder right? I heard the solution is to starve him for about 3 days. But.. it's been about a week, and no change. He's getting horribly skinny too...

He's had this before but recovered from it just fine.. This betta has even recovered from dropsy, 2 years ago. (I realize he might be getting old...)
I heard maybe feeding him peas or changing his diet could help?

Specs: He's in a 2 gallon tank of spring water, which receives some sunlight during the day. I put a drop of Hikari Betta Revive in the water (something that prevents and controls diseases) but it's done nothing. I feed him Top Fin and Hikari Betta Bits.

What can i do to help him? =(

[doggyhog]

Maybe you could try and feed him some Daphnia?

I'm sorry about your betta.

Peas can do some damage to their digestive system, because they are carnivorous.

[doggyhog]

Oh, and keep his tank nice and warm, and lower the water level so he can get to the air easier.

[Kitfox]

Daphnia are water fleas right? Ok, i'll see if my local pet stores have that.. How often/how much should i feed him? Thank you.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and there's a skull decoration in his tank , he loves to sit on it where he is actually right below the surface, so it's easy for him to get air just by lifting his head a bit. I guess i'll leave the water level where it is.

[dramaqueen]

I agree with doggyhog. Daphnia is more natural for them than peas.

[Vikki81207]

He may also just be getting old and it might be his time. His age may be affecting how well he's fighting off whatever he's got.

[Kitfox]

Update!

None of my local stores carried Daphnia, or knew of a good substitute, unfortunately.

They game me blackworms instead, and Akumu has been eating them! A change of diet might help him? At least he's eating now.

His eyes are caved in- he's so damn skinny =( I really want him to just regain his weight, and deal with the swim bladder issue later. Starving him wasn't helping to cure it..

[rb500]

well swim bladder is caused by overfeeding so if fasting hasn't worked to the point that he i skinny then that wasn't it. he may just be getting very weak from age

[ifish]

are you using water condtinoer

[Kitfox]

Yea i think he's just gettting old from age..

I don't use water conditioner, i use just spring water.