lethargic, bloated betta

Question
i have a betta fish that i have had for 7 months. he is in a bowl with a few rocks and no filter that i change weekly and treat with a water conditioner. he was always friendly and active with a good appetite. i feed him bettamin once a day. for the past few days, i have noticed that my betta has not had an appetite (the food has fallen to the bottom), he has faded in color, and he has very bloated area on his under belly towards the front (right where his small lower front fins are). he has been hanging around the top of the bowl most of the day, and is not very active. is there anything i can do for him? we love our fish...please advise.

thank you.  

Answer
Hello Amy-

Unfortunately, this sounds like dropsy, which is usually fatal in fish once symptoms develop. :( I'll offer you the one treatment that has worked for a few people, but please be warned that the survival rate is not high.

You'll need to dose the tank with Kanacyn (an antibiotic) and Epsom salts. The dose for the salt is 1/4 teaspoon per gallon (you'll have to do some math to figure out your bowl size.)

I hope this is useful - Wish I could do more. :(
-Amber Worman