My female betta looks sick

Question
QUESTION: I just got my new female Betta at pet-co about 2-3 weeks ago and just yesterday December 13th my Betta would just float on top of the water and not swim. Even when she struggles to swim back down she floats right back up and does not move even though she is not dead. She lives in a about 1/2 gallon tank with colored rocks and a Betta plant. I feed her about 2 pellets for every other day. I had a little bubble maker that was not very big and i thought that had might of been the cause of it so I took it out. I keep my fish tank clean and I am worried that my fish might have an illness. PLEASE write back as soon as possible.

ANSWER: Hi Vinny,
Good information on Bettas seems to be hard to find.  Most vendors do not care.  They are there to make a buck, and this is all that matters to them.  This really turns my stomach over!  Bettas are intelligent little beings, and should not be treated this way.
Bettas should not be in 1/2 gallon tanks.  They should be in five gallon heated tanks, or bigger.  They need a thermostat to keep the water temperature stable, and should never be heated with lights or lamps.    In their habitat, the betta may live in shallow water, but they have lots of room to swim.  Bettas kept in small bowls, vases, and tiny tanks, will get sick, and their lives are cut short.  The Betta is a tropical fish, and should be in 80-82 degree water.  If kept in water under this temperature, the betta is cold, therefore gets very sick.   When bringing up the heat for a betta, you must do this very slowly.  One degree every two days, as bringing up the temperature too quickly will cause death.  She should have a silk plant so she can rest on the leaves, and something she can go through.  Bettas should be fed a varied diet.  Betta pellets, Betta flakes, Plankton flakes, Daphnia, Glassworms, Bloodworms, and Frozen Brine shrimp should be part of their diet.  The more you vary, the healthier she will be.    They should be fed 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  Example:  2 pellets or 2 flakes for one meal.  Feeding a Betta every other day is not good for them.  You don't want her to starve.  The Betta must have one frozen cooked pea a week with the outer layer removed, and cut into tiny pieces.  Feed the pieces to your Betta one at a time, making sure she eats it, and that it does not fall to the  bottom of the tank.  This is so she can clean out her system, and avoid Swim Bladder Disease.  We must always remember that the betta's tummy is the size of her eye.  On the day you feed her the pea, feed her nothing else.
We take them out of their home, to put them in ours, the least we can do is give them a good home.
Your betta is either cold, or he may have Swim Bladder Disease.  I don't think she has Swim Bladder because you do not feed her enough.  Swim Bladder is caused by over feeding, and poor diet.  The Betta gets his vitamins from different foods.  If you are feeding her just one type of food, then she is missing vitamins that she needs to be healthy.  Pellets are very good for Bettas, but Daphnia is also important for them, as well as bloodworms now, and then.  I'm not saying you have to go out and buy all the different foods, but try to buy her different kinds slowly.
A bubble maker in such a small tank, is not recommended.  
For now try feeding her a pea, maybe she is constipated.  Constipation is also caused by poor diet, and will lead to Swim Bladder Disease.
The best you can do for her now, is to upgrade her living space, and remember to heat the water slowly.
I also want to add, that when keeping bettas or any other fish in unheated tanks, the water will fluctuate.  This is very bad for fish.  
I hope this will help, and if you have other questions regarding your little friend, do not hesitate to ask.
Lynda

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QUESTION: One other question is that i have read to put a pinch of non iodized salt for anti-bacterial reasons. is this a good idea and to lower the water level.


ANSWER: Hi,
Aquarium salt is good for Bettas (1 teaspoon to 5 gallons of water)  The only time you don't add salt is if the Betta as Swim Bladder Disease.  Make sure that you dilute it before putting it into the tank.  Never lower the level, but buy a plant so that he can rest on the leaves.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: One other thing i have to ask you is what will happen if i put non-iodized salt in the tank if my fish does have swim bladder illness. Would a getting a
small goldfish be a better idea for a small tank like mine.  

Answer
Hi,
Small tanks are not made for any fish.  The goldfish grows very big, and needs a big tank.  Samll tanks are money making machines, and no fish should have to live in them.  Non iodized salt would be okay to use, but I prefer to buy the Aquarium Salt.  It is not very expensive, and you can find it at Walmart, or the pet store.
Lynda