my sick betta

Question
QUESTION: my betta fish has been floating sideways for a couple of weeks now. Ive tried to feed him peas but he wont eat them. I also tried the epsom salt and that isnt working either. any ideas?

ANSWER: Sam,
What size tank is he in? How often do you do water changes? Does he have a heater in his tank? Are there other fish in the tank? Give me as much information that you can so that I can help you better.

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QUESTION: I think its a 10 gallon tank. It has a filter but not a heater. Water is changed about every 2 weeks

Answer
Sam,
The Betta does not need nor do the males like a filter. They do however, need a heater set at 80 degrees at all times including the warmer months. Water changes need to be done weekly by removing 25% of the water while cleaning the gravel and replaced with clean conditioned water that is the same temperature as the water he is swimming in. Try giving him a salt water bath. This time use aquarium salt. In a 1 gallon container, dissolve 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt. Make sure you dissolve the salt before adding him to it or the salt will burn him. The water also has to be the same temperature as his tank water. I let mine swim in the water for 5 minutes. Stay with him just in case there is a problem and you have to remove him. Do this twice a day for a couple of days. Make sure you are making fresh salt water every time. Let me know how he does after his first bath.