Betta aking differently

Question
My betta, Major Minor, has been acting very differently since last Friday night.  On Thursday night I had changed his water and his rocks.  He was fine that night and the next morning.  When I came home from work on Friday night, he wouldn't eat.  He would take his pellet and then spit it back out.  Then on Saturday I noticed that he was laying low in the aquarium and not very active.  Again he spit out the pellet.  

I went to the fish store and they told me to buy a therometer and I bought different brand pellets.  The water was above 75 but not at 80.  The new pellets he did the same thing with.

Sunday, the same thing.  Today he was acting more lively again and like he wanted to eat.  He looked at me helplessly like he wants to let me know whats wrong so I can help him.  I am feeling so helpless.

I took a half a day off and went and bought flakes and freeze-dried bloodworms because others had suggested that.  I asked at this pet store and they never heard of betta doing this and suggested I go to the fish store and ask for help!  Which I had already been too.  

He spit out the flakes and the bloodworms.  

I do not use tap water.  I use bottled spring water - the gravel was the same as I originally used but just new.  Maybe there was something that was in the gravel that hurt him.  

I don't think he looks differently although I note near his head on top close to his face he does have two black small spots, the rest has a different color to it.  But today he's definitely more active again, but he's not eating and I am heartsick over it.  I am so afraid I'll lose him.

I bought him on 12/22/07 as a Christmas present for myself.  I lost my niece on 8/10/07 to colon cancer - she was only 37 years old.  She has two children.  When I use to take her to chemotherapy sessions, I would sleep on her living room couch and she had a fish tank in the living room that kept me company at night and gave me solace when I was anxious and couldn't sleep worrying about my niece.  If anything happens to Major Minor I will be devastated.  

Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you,
Lis.

Answer
Hello Lis -

Bettas can live for a week or more without food, so your little guy should be all right until you are able to entice him to eat.

Here are some tricks you can try:

1.) Roll his food in garlic powder. This is an appetite stimulant, and can usually get most stubborn fish to eat.

2.) Try some live food. Some pet stores sell live Daphnia and Bloodworms, most bettas go CRAZY for this stuff.

3.) Raise his water temperature. This will kick his metabolism up and make him more eager to eat.

Hopefully one of these tips can help. You're an amazing fish mommy and you are doing great so far. :)

-Amber Worman