Betta at top of tank, pea sinks to bottom

Question
I'm feeding him chunks of a cooked pea because all of the symptoms he seems to be having, seem to be described as constipation on this web site.  He barely swims anymore and if I try to wake him up he just shakes and seems to have a seizure.

He's not bloated, but his color isn't the best anymore. He used to know when it was time for me to feed him, now he won't eat a thing.  I have been feeding him dried blood worms, because he won't eat the beta bite (pellets).  He just won't, and then they float to the bottom and make his tank dirty.

He hasn't eaten in a bout a week.  I think he ate a bite or two of the pea, but it didn't seem to affect him.  I did this because this site said it would help with constipation,  He's not bloated, but he does have a bump at his tummy on one side.  It's not a tumor.

Should I try epsome salts next?

Please give me more guidence if possible! Thanks!  


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Followup To

Question -
My Betta gets his tank cleaned once a week and I use filtered water and make it match the temp he's been in.  I use conditioning drops before he goes back in.

He used to lay down at the bottom of the tank a lot and 'sleep'.  Now he's at the top and sezuires every once in a while.  Not much swimming.

How do I try to feed him a pea if it goes to the bottom of the tank and he stays at the top, and never goes down.  He wont eat anything at all.  It's been days of this

HELP my little red guy!

Answer -
Hi Kristina,
 I'm unclear as to why you are trying to feed a pea to your betta?  

  Feed him a little bit of flake food and he will be happy.

  Bettas don't normally do much swimming.    Is he making a
bubble nest on the surface of the water?

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


Answer
Hi Kristina,
 It is possible that he is just getting old.  Bettas don't live all that long.  While some will live to be as old as five
years, for many, they only live a year or so.

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