I think my beta is dying

Question
QUESTION: He's a work fish, and he never eats over the weekends and he's been fine for 8 months. I have him in a 1 gallon takn that has bubbles rocks, light and so forth.  He always hangs out near the top of the tank under the hole where I drop his food in. I came in today and he was at the bottom of the tank face down.  I thought he was already dead but when I tried to scoop him out he wriggled up to the top and went back down again.  He looks like his breathing is labored and his color does not look good. He's kind of grayish.  If there is something I can do to save him I'd like to try. But right now he's looking very sad and like he is dying.  

Please let me know if you can think of anything that I can try to do for him.

Thank you,
Leah

ANSWER: Hi Leah,
There are so many reasons why a betta changes colour.  It is sometimes difficult to find the right answer, but we must try.  Have you checked his water to see if he has ammonia or nitrites in it.  Ammonia is the number one killer of fish.  In a one gallon bowl, the water should be changed every week without fail, always using a good water conditioner.  It could also be that he is cold.  Bettas are tropical fish, and should be kept in 80 degree water.  When bringing up the temperatures in a tank, this should always be done slowly.  One degree every two days.
It could also be old age, we do not always know their age when we buy them.
It could be his diet.  A betta should have a varied diet.  Betta pellets one day, Betta flakes the next, daphnia the next, and bloodworms once a week.  He should have one frozen cooked pea a week, with the first layer removed, and cut into little pieces.  The Betta should be fed the pea one piece at a time so that it does not fall to the bottom of the tank.  On the day he is fed the pea, he should have nothing else to eat.  This is to clean out his system, and prevent Swim Bladder Disease which is caused by constipation.
Feed your betta 2-3 small meals a day..Example:  Two pellets for one meal.  We must always remember that the Betta's tummy is the size of his eye.
It could also be that he is stressed.  You must find the cause if something is stressing him.
If his fins are clapped, it is a sign of parasites, and you could treat him with coppersafe, and maracyn-two combined.  Coppersafe will kill the parasite, and Maracyn-two will help cure the infection that caused him to have parasite... it is an antibiotic. Ask the Pet Store Manager for the exact dosage for a one gallon bowl.  Do complete water changes every 5 days, and continue the treatment if this is the case.
Contrary to popular belief, the Betta should be kept in a 5 gallon tank which is heated.  In his habitat, the Betta's water may be shallow, but he has lots of room to swim.  The Betta is one of the most mistreated fish on the market.  The fault falls on the vendor who is there to make money, selling gadgets, and telling the customer that all the betta needs is a small bowl, and bloodworms.  This is not true.  Unfortunately, there are no laws to protect fish.
The customer goes home with a small bowl, and bloodworms thinking he/she has everything to make the betta happy.  Bettas kept in small bowls, vases, mirror tanks, etc. are very unhappy, and miserable.  Their lives are cut short, money is spent to save him, and eventually he dies.  This makes the person who has the betta very sad, as we get so attached to our bettas.  They are intelligent little fish, and should be treated with kindness.
I hope we find a solution to why your betta is sick, and that you will find the exact cause with what I have written you.
If you have anymore questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I have bred the Betta, love them, and know what is best for them.
I hope the little man pulls through.
Lynda

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the info Lynda,

Before I got your answer, I went to the pet shop they said it was most likely bacterial... I got him some medicine, cleaned his tank and at first he seemed to perk up... but by the end of the day he sadly died.  I think he was treated better than most, but you've told me so much I didn't know about him. If I had known more what to look for I may have caught the bacterial infection sooner. Thanks and if I do get another in the future, I'll keep in mind all the care tips you sent.

Out of curiosity, when I bought the 1 gallon tank it was packaged as a "tetra" tank... how many tetras can you put in a small tank like that and still allow them room to live? I'm not running out to buy more fish right now but I am curious.

Thank you again for taking the time and care to answer my question.

Leah

Answer
Hi Leah,
I'm so sorry you lost your little friend.  I know you thought you were doing the best you could do for him.  These small tanks that they sell for bettas, or tetras are money making machines.  No fish should be put in them.  The vendors don't care, they are there to make a buck, and that is all that counts for them.  Little tetras should not be in these tanks.  It's cruel.  People do not know this as they believe the vendors, and think the fish are happy, but in the end, the fish die, and the customer is left saddened, and wondering why.  It is impossible to heat these small tanks, and keep the right water chemistry.  I know these tanks look cute, and take up small space, but I would never buy one, or put a fish in one.  It would be like if we were forced to live in a bathroom for the rest of our lives!  They should be taken off the market, but I'm afraid I will never see that day.  All I can do is give people information on fish, and hope that other people will read this, and not buy these tanks.
Again, I'm sorry that the little man died, but he is now in the big aquarium in the sky, and happy.
Lynda