Beta Ammonia sickness

Question
I have had a Beta in a half gallon tank for several months. He lives on his own and I change him every seven days and use a water treatment drops. He has been a joy until this past couple weeks. I was very busy and went a couple days longer between cleanings... so, about 9 days. Now he sits on the bottom, and seems to gasp, and under his gills is very deep purple. He seems stressed, slow, not eating, and gasping at the for air. He'll take repeated gasps of air at the surface. He also seems to have lost some colour. I worry that it's too late to save him from possible ammonia poisoning. I've changed his water and stopped feeding him (since he wasn't eating anyhow.)  Is it too late to save him? Is there anything you recommend me doing? Oh, and his eyes seem cloudy too.  Oh dear. I'm a murderer!

Answer
Hi Alex;

I can't make any promises, but there are a couple of things you can try. Change his water every day and use a good water conditioner that has stress-relieving and slime-coating ingredients. 'NovAqua' and 'Stress Coat' are a couple of good ones. Keep the water level lower than usual so he doesn't have to struggle so much to get to the top. It will conserve energy that he needs in order to heal.

Stopping feeding is a very good idea. Fish can go many days with no food, so don't worry about him starving. Just keep changing water and using the conditioner.

Keep up the good work and hopefully he will be okay.....

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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