My Sick Beta

Question
I have had my beta for about 3 years now and he recently (for two days now) has started acting very sickly and now am wondering what I can do to help him.  I have noticed for the past few days that he has started staying at the top of water and normally he stays in a certain area when not playing....Then I got home tonight and he was on his side at the top and I thought for sure that he had died, so I poked him and he swam away and then I found him with his nose poked toward the bottom of the tank with his tail upward, not a normal position for him.  I have him in a big 2.5 gallon tank and clean his tank every week to week-in-a-half....Is there anything that I can do for him??  Please help in assisting or are we at the end of his life span???

Thanks for helping in advance,

Alicia W. Clark

Answer
Hi Alicia,
Sounds like it could be an old age problem and/or a swim bladder disorder.

You can read all about swim bladder here -

http://www.nippyfish.net/SBD.html

Getting your betta over swim bladder disorder is a little more difficult with older fish. All you can do is try your best to make sure he is comfortable. Make sure he is able to reach the surface easily to get those vital gulps of air.

Start doing daily water changes on his tank. Fast him for at least a day, then offer some mashed green pea. If he doesn't accept it after several tries, frozen daphnia or brine shrimp is a good substitute. Constipation is the biggest cause for swim bladder disorder and these foods will help get his digestive system functioning better.

Even with your best efforts - your little betta has lived the usual life expectancy of this species so be sure to keep that in mind.

I do hope this helps!
Karen~