weird growth and patches on beta

Question
I have a blue beta whom i adopted from my last job, so he's probably more than 2 years old. I have him in a 5 gallon  plastic tank, alone, with a water filter, heater and a few soft plants. A few months i noticed a growth right below his dorsal fin, it's now a giant very white spongy looking growth that has ripped his fin, but he's still actively swimming and eating well. I medicated the tank several times with Maracyn and Maracyn 2 but it did nothing. About a week ago I noticed some brownish looking spots on on top of his head which are now grayish, some have white spots with red circles around them. I don't want to give him the wrong medication and the pet store's don't know much. I also add aquarium salt with each water change, and keep the time between 78-80. What should I do?

Answer
Hi Holly,
 Your betta is very old at two years and it sounds like life is catching up to him.  

 There is no need or reason to add aquarium salt to a betta tank -- they come from pure freshwater.   

 As far as medications, you could try a product called Clout however I am reluctant to recommend it because it is sort of the nuclear bomb approach to treating a fish -- it goes after everything -- and it can be very hard on the fish itself.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>