Fishnu is sick

[ansalong]

Housing
What size is your tank? 1 gal
What temperature is your tank? 80 degrees F
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Pellets and bloodworms
How often do you feed your betta fish? Once a day (he is tiny)

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Every day
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime, and recently aquarium salt to treat fin rot

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:0
pH: 6.8
Hardness: not sure of the number, but on the soft side
Alkalinity: 20

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Definite fin rot, deterioration of the fins and black edges. Grey, stringy poop.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Lethargic, trouble swimming straight. He still greets us and swims around, but he sinks to the bottom of the tank and struggles to stay afloat. When he sits he leans over until he is basically flopped in his side, and breathes shallowly.
When did you start noticing the symptoms? 2-3 days ago (about a week ago for the fin rot)
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Aq salt for fin rot. Stopped aq salt today and started Tetra parasite guard (praziquantel and metronidazole) for parasite. Lowered water level and moved to qt tank to watch poop.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? Displayed symptoms of parasites a month or two ago, treated successfully with same Parasite Guard.
How old is your fish (approximately)? About 7 months.

I am pretty sure Fishnu has at least a parasite. I am wondering if his buoyancy issues could be related. I really want to get him to where he can stay near the surface and breathe easily. If it's unrelated, can I treat with Epsom salt and an anti-parasite medicine at the same time? I am really reluctant to use medicines, let alone combine them with other treatments. I don't want to stress him or overwork his system. But I want to help him quickly and correctly. He is vey pathetic laying around the bottom of the tank, reminds me of fishies in their cups at the pet store.

Any advice is most appreciated.

[copperarabian]

If he's having trouble reaching the surface I would lower the water level for him so it's easier for him to breath. Poor guy :(

[SillyCone]

You could try to change for epsom salt, but anyway, try to get us a photo of him and his poop so idk, we can confirm is parasite.

[ansalong]

Thanks guys.

I'll try to get a photo but it's hard to see his poop, it' just kind of a string on the bottom of the tank o.O

I am pretty confident that he has a parasite, I went through this with him before. But last time he didn't have these buoyancy issues as well. I'm wondering if the parasite might be causing that or if it could be unrelated, like SBD on top of it.

Mostly I want to know if it's safe to do an epsom salt treatment while I'm doing the parasite meds.

[SillyCone]

Good call, where's OFL?

>:V

[ansalong]

Well, when I got home from work Fishnu was a goner. Thanks for your help and sympathy guys. I am still not quite sure what was wrong, maybe he had a parasite longer than I realized.

RIP little buddy, I'm sorry I couldn't have helped you better.

[SillyCone]

Aww I'm sorry for your loss =/