Color fading and hiding-Betta

Question
Hello.
I'm very worried about my betta Patriot. He/She (I'm not really sure) lives in a ten gallon tank with a filter and a heater that keeps the water at 78 degrees. We feed him betta pellets twice a day (about 3-4 pellets each time).When we brought Patriot home his/her colors weren't very bright, but after he was home for a couple of day he got really bright and seemed happy. Now his colors are fading and he stays hidden most of the time. We put a Buddha type thing in the tank and it has an opening in the top...that's where Patriot hides.
What do you think is causing the fading color and hiding? I'm also new at caring for betta's. Do you have suggestions for diet and tank care?
Oh, he/she is also swimming kind of funny. Patriot comes out of the Buddha and swims frantically. He/she used to follow my husband and I when we would be by the tank and he would swim across the tank like he was playing. now he just swims in any direction or he stays very close to glass and the  toys (like the Buddha). I'm really worried.
Thank you for help.


Answer
Hi Sallie
Can you see if his tummy is swollen?  His tummy is just under his chin.  Many Bettas get Swim Bladder Disease.  This disease is due to poor diet, and overeating, which leads to constipation, then SBD.  If you see that his tummy is swollen, try feeding him a cooked frozen pea.  Cook the pea, remove the outer layer, and cut it into small pieces.  Feed the pieces to your betta one at a time.  Feed him nothing else until you see that he has wasted.  If this is the cause, and he wastes, and gets better, he should have one pea a week, and on the day you give him the pea, he should fast for the rest of the day.  This helps him clean out his system.  You should also vary his diet.  Betta Pellets, Betta Flakes, Daphnia, Bloodworms, and the pea.  Feed him pellets one day, flakes the next etc.  You may feed him 2-3 times a day, but small meals.  Example: 2 pellets for one meal.  We must always remember that his tummy is the size of his eye.  Feeding him 3-4 pellets is too much for one meal.
He could also be stressed.  A stressed Betta's colour will fade.  You must find out what is stressing him if this is the case.
Check you water for ammonia, and nitrites.  If he has ammonia, or nitrites in his water, do water changes until your water chemistry is safe.  Ammonia is the number one killer of fish.
I hope this information will help the little man, or lady.  Feel free to write back to me with any questions you may have.
Lynda