Sick Betta! D:

[ds2009]

So my girlfriends betta fish is sick. She has it in a 1.5 gallon tank, with a filter, heater, and silk plants. Her fish has been lethargic since yesterday and today he has started to have clamped fins. Can anyone tell me what might be ailing her fish and what we can do to help the poor little guy?

[DragonFish]

How long has the tank been up? Whats the water change schedule like/when was the last water change? Did she dechlorinate the fresh water? Whats the temperature of the tank? is there anything else visibly wrong with him? Odd discolored spots or white patches/dots?

If you could answer those questions and give us a little more info/possibly get a picture of the little guy, it'll be easier for us to help determine whats wrong and how to fix 'em up :)

[ds2009]

SHe got the tank on friday I believe, she changed the water then. She plans on doing water changes once a week since she has a filter for him. The water should be at 78 degrees with the heater in there. Also he has not been eating today. She feeds him betta pellets. She says that his scales are whitish under his face and on his gills but theyre not moldy looking. Thats about it :(

[DragonFish]

Go ahead and tell her to take the filter out....a filter is only beneficial for cycling, and you can't cycle a 1.5 gallon. She should do a full water change three times a week in a tank that small, and remind to her not forget the water conditioner! That stuff is really important.
If theres any way to get a pic of him, that would be very helpful...

But for now, she should probably do a full water change, rinse everything thoroughly in hot water, refill the tank with water the same temp as the water she took out, add water conditioner, and slowly accumulate the little guy back in. She can also go pick up some aquarium salt, completely dissolve about a teaspoon in some hot water, and add that too the tank and that will help.

Also-Is there a thermometer in the tank? If not, definitely go get one so you can monitor the water temperature and make sure the heater is working properly.