Betta Fish Floating

Question
I've had this particular betta fish for about a year now, and for the span of his life he has lived quite happily in a maybe 2.5 gallon vase with rocks and a plastic flower. I change the water once a week, and fill the vase to the point where if he jumped he could not get out, and he has space to breathe.

About two days ago I was going through my rounds (I have 2 other betta fish) and feeding them small hunks of brine shrimp when this betta seemed to almost choke on his peice and immediately sank to the bottom. I was terrified and watched with horror as he regurgitated his food and breathed heavily, leaning against the side of his tank. I immediately moved him to a small cup where he could reach the surface easily and changed his water. I added a little medicated water conditioner as well. When I put him back in he still seemed very weak and then proceeded to rest on the leaves of the flower.

This betta fish often nestles in the nooks and cranies of the rocks, so I am never surprised (although always somewhat panicky) when I find him there. A few hours ago I came downstairs and found him upside down in one of these spaces. I proceeded to tip the vase a little and disturb the water, causing him to squirm his way into the open. He seems very sick and his having a hard time breathing, and when he tries  to swim to the top of the tank, he tends to be almost vertical.

Is there any way that I can help him get back to normal? Is there anything I can do? What, exactly, is wrong with him?

Answer
Hi Micaela;

Poor little guy. It sounds like his swim bladder has failed. It may have become plugged from constipation or something. If you can keep him in a shallow container with no gravel, changing it every day, it will help him to recover. Don't feed him at all for 3 or 4 days to help his digestive system clear out. After this 3 or 4 day "fast" feed him only little chunks of cooked peeled green peas. It helps to offer them on the end of a toothpick or a chopstick. I use frozen peas because they are already cooked and freezing softens them too. Just let one thaw in your hand for a couple of minutes and break it out of it's round skin. Break it into little chunks and feed. Here are some web pages about betta constipation and swim bladder conditions;

http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/12/332/

http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/Illness%20Diagonsis/constipation.html

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

http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/12/167/

http://www.petfish.net/articles/Bettas/swimbladder_betta.php

http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/12/155/

I hope he feels better very soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins