Betta spinning uncontrollably

Question
Hi Sir,

My beloved betta Lee, who has brightened out lives for nearly 3 years now, has just started some very disturbing behavior. Up until a few days ago, he was a very happy, robust fish who swam and ate without any difficulty in his 2 gallon tank which is kept at a constant 80 degrees. He recieves partial water changes every few days and every saturday a complete change, all rocks and ornament cleaned thoroughly (no chemicals used OF COURSE!!!) On to my problem... I woke up a few days ago and went to turn everybody's lights on (we have 8 total) and Lee was swimming erratically, spiralling downward rather fast, then darting up to the top and starting over again. This continued throughout the day. By that evening, he just layed around looking at me, but would move very little. The last few days he has been hovering at the top for
most of the time, and when he does move he still spins, but now it is not so fast, it's more like a dog chasing its tail in slow motion. I had my betta Cesar pass two years ago from swim bladder, so ever since then, everyone has one day of fasting and a nibble of a pea once a week along with a small variety of food, flake, baby pellets, freeze dried worms. Always small meals 1 to 2 times a day. Any advice you could provide with be worth a million. I have been taking care of bettas for many years now, but I have never experienced anything like this. I am not sure if he is suffering. Today I tried to feed him and he does not seem interested.

Thank you, Ivy

Answer
Hello Ivy:  Most betta fish live to about 3 years of age.  You have a betta that is reaching the end of its life span but that may not be the cause of his erratic swimming.  I would change his water and make sure you are adding in water conditioner.  Most times when there is no outward sign of disease the problem can be traced back to a chemical imbalance in the tank water either from the water itself or from an outside source.  If the water changes do not help let me know... I would also add a tiny bit of aquarium salt to his water.   keep me posted... dave