floating beta fish at top of tank

Question
My wife and I bought a Beta fish from the pet store 7 days ago. He has not ate since we brought him home. 3 days ago he started hanging out at the top of the tank and not swimming very much. Now he is floating sideways at the top of the tank and not moving much. He has been like this for 3 days. We did a water change, made sure the ph and ammonia levels are safe, have made sure the temp is 78 degrees, took out the small filter we had to make sure the current wasn't bothering him, and he still is not doing well. He has not ate in seven days (since we brought him home.) We can not get him remotely interested in food and he seems to be moving less and less. Is there any chance we can save him? What else can we check? Should we bring him back to the pet store (the man offered to take him back)? We prefer to nurse him back to health if possible but don't know what else to try and we don't want to lose him. Please help us. Anything will be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Greg;

It sounds like a swim bladder problem. If he isn't eating it's very hard to treat. In bettas it is often related to constipation. It can be treated with epsom salt baths but it doesn't work in every case. Here is a web page about swim bladder problems;

http://groups.msn.com/TheBettaObsession/swimbladderdisorder.msnw

Here is a page about epsom salt baths;

http://groups.msn.com/TheBettaObsession/epsomsaltbath.msnw

You may want to just exchange him for another fish but I hope he feels better soon....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins