Unkown sickness

Question
Hello, I wondering if you could help me.

My male crowntail betta, Sir Raspberry Muffin, does not seem alright.

Some things to know:

1. Sadly I received him as a going away gift for college and I currently do not have the money for a larger tank.
2. His tank is cleaned every week
3. The water I use to refill his tank is bottled.
4. The room temp is roughly 70 degrees.
5. It's been about 5 months since I've received him from.
6. He eats once a day and like a pig
7. Quite active
8. Shiny coat
9. I feed him BettaMin: Tropical Medley

A few minutes ago I noticed a small pink like bulb hanging from his stomach on a small string like thread, and I'm afraid that it is actually his stomach. He seems quite fine otherwise, i've been checking on him every few seconds and I'm terrified that I can't help him.

...I just checked on him again and it's no longer there, he's still swimming actively and I don't see it anywhere in the tank.

What is wrong and what should I do?

Please help.
~Damaris

Answer
Hi Damaris,
I would change his water once again.  I do not know what this pink bubble is unfortunately, but since it is no longer there, I would change his water.
A little information on the Betta:
The betta is a tropical fish, and should be in 80-82 degree water.  Under this temperature, the Betta is cold, and will get sick.  When bringing up the temperature for the Betta, this must be done very very slowly.  Bring up the temperature one degree every two days until you reach 80 or 82 degrees.  The temperature is very important.  It should always be between 80-82 degrees, and should never fluctuate.  When Bettas are kept in cool water, their lives are cut short.

A betta should have a varied diet.  He should be fed 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  Example: 2 pellets for one meal, or two flakes for one meal.  He should have one frozen cooked pea a week with the outer layer removed, and cut into tiny pieces.  Feed the pieces one at a time to your betta, making sure he eats them, and that they do not fall to the bottom of the tank.  This is so the Betta can clean out his system, and avoid Swim Bladder Disease to which the Betta is prone.  He should also have Daphnia in his diet.  Always remember that the Betta's tummy is the size of his eye, so we must be careful when feeding him.  Small meals, are better than one big meal.

Bettas are not meant to live in small tanks, containers, vases, or any other gadgets that the vendors sell.  They should be in a 5 gallon heated tank or more.  Vendors do not care, all they care about is money, and the buyer who does not have good information on the Betta will buy these gadgets which are no good for a Betta.  The betta may live in shallow waters in his habitat, but he has lots of room to swim.  He should have a small silk plant to rest on, and a little toy to go through.  

You mentioned that he is in a small tank.  I do not know the size, but if he is in one gallon or less, you must change his water twice a week using a good conditioner such as "Stress Coat" or "AquaPlus."  Adding a little diluted aquarium salt would also help.  (One teaspoon of diluted Aquarium Salt to 5 gallons of water.)  This helps with parasites, and stress.

Bettas do better in tap water.  Tap water has all the minerals Bettas, and other fish need to survive.  When changing bottled water to tap water, this must be done slowly.  The first change should be 3/4 bottled water 1/4 tap water, then wait till the third change, and put 1/2 bottled water and 1/2 tap water, then wait again, until you have him completely in tap water.

The Betta is one of the most mistreated fish on the market, through no fault of your own, but the vendors who don't care, and just want to make a buck.  The Betta is an intelligent little fish, and should be treated right.  We get so attached to these fish...so small, yet so clever.

I hope this will help, and if you need more information, do not hesitate to write me.
Lynda