Betta- Swim Bladder, etc.

Question
I've had my male betta for 8 mos with no problems.. very healthy and happy (with young-like characteristics). Three weeks ago he started with one problem and then another; initially it was  lethargy,sleepiness.  He became bloated. He has color loss, but this is not completely unusual for him. He fights but gives in allowing his body to float up sideways until he corrects it.  I was late in changing his water by about five days before he started this. As soon as I saw his condition starting, I changed the water. A week later I noticed popeye. There is no question about this one - I've seen enough pictures of it..

He fasted for six days and he was getting skinny.. stomach still had a slight bulge, but he looked like he was wasting away. (Realistically I know that healthy Bettas can last longer than that, but...) He still hadn't passed anything by that time, but I went ahead and fed him - one pellet..I don't want to over feed at this point but I don't want him weak on top of everything else. (it took him about 8 days to finally pass some of the blockage)  I started him on Maracyn 1, initially for the popeye; his eyes have 'gone down' a little but not much. He's almost given up on swimming straight and floats on his side. He doesn't have pine coning (sp?) so I don't think it's dropsy.
His body has almost kinked or curved in the center. I'm guessing this is from him fighting to get vertical in the water.
But he's hanging in there; and doesn't appear to be in pain.
Is there something I could be doing? I have gotten very attached to him and don't want him to die.

He is in a 1 gal bowl.
No live plants but small plastic ones
Water temp is 79-80;
Full water changes once a week; started partial changes this week (he perked up a bit after the first)  Now, 30% water changes every 2-3 days, with full water change every 5 days, scooping debris
No filters/water treatment
No tank buddies.
P.S. I've got another betta who has had the same treatment as Louie.. water changes, feeding, etc. He is perfectly fine.

Answer
Hi Wendy,
 Sadly it sounds like he is getting old.  Bettas often only live a year or so and when they get near the end of their life, they tend to just basically fall apart with a whole bunch of symptoms one after the other.  There really isn't anything you can do about this as far as I know. Sorry.

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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