help my sick fish

Question
My Fish
Question   i have 2 Siamese fish and a few months ago my oldest one seem to be sick he started having trouble floating to the top and most times would sit on the bottom of the tank so i went on the Internet and searched and from what  i read it seemed like he had sinking bladder disorder so i lowered his water and tryed giving him some of a cooked pea (which i got off the Internet)
and didn't feed him to much as well.
but now he doesn't move at all he seems like hes dyeing but hes been like this for a very long time a few months maby and im worried he .doesn't move at all

and the other fish i said i had was all ways active as well but now he's doing the opposite he sits at the top of the tank and doesn't move at all im worried and i don't know what to do??? and its hard because i don't have that much money im still in school

when i first got them both  where very active fish and would swim up and down the tank all the time


please help
jaz  

Answer
Hi Jaz;

Swim bladder disorder often isn't correctable I'm afraid. There are many causes for it; constipation, infection, genetic deformity, shock, cancer, etc. Even when the cause is treatable, if the swim bladder can't heal enough to work properly again the fish is permanently disabled. Just keep his water level low and change his water very often (3 times a week) to help him feel more comfortable and keep him as strong as possible.

Bettas are not always very active fish and/or your other fish may just be getting older. Change the water several times a week to help him keep his immune system strong. Temperature is a factor too. If his water temperature is under 75 he will slow down too. Bettas like a temperature at 78f to 82f. Tank size is important too. Bettas should be in tanks no smaller than one gallon. Larger tanks with filters are even better.

I wish I could do more to help you....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins