Betta with swim bladder disorder?

[freelancer]

I've had my Betta for almost three years now. Always very active and responsive. For the last few months he has slowed down a little bit, but only I, who looks at him every day, would probably notice. However, for the last couple of days he has been swimming on his side, and doesn't seem to want to eat or swim around much. I've thought him dead more than twice now, and have had to tap on the aquarium to get him going again.

A flashlight and a close look reveal nothing, and I've already done a water change. I also put him in a separate bowl overnight with water (about 80 degrees) and some salt. No change.

Is this swim bladder disorder? He doesn't appear to be suffering, but there is definitely something wrong. I also realize he is getting old, for a betta.

His current setup is a 1.7 gl aquarium with a filter, silk plant and a hide/ornament. Other than the water and keeping the tank clean, I haven't made any changes to it in a long time. I feed him a pinch of betta food pellets OR freeze-dried worms every day, except Sunday (no food).

[Christine]

Do you use aquarium salt at all?

[freelancer]

Do you use aquarium salt at all?

I'd never heard of it until recently. I found some info on another site that said that it's great against fungus and other problems. He's never had a single issue until now, though.

He's a little more active now, but the problem persists.

[Br. Francis]

Three years is a pretty advanced age for a betta. They are generally only given a two year life span. You must be doing a good job with him and I hope he perks up.

[freelancer]

Three years is a pretty advanced age for a betta. They are generally only given a two year life span. You must be doing a good job with him and I hope he perks up.

Thanks. I hope so too, I'm gonna miss the little guy if he goes on me. I know his time is probably coming up, but if there's something I can do to nurse him back to health, I will.

[Christine]

A little aquarium salt might pirk him up.

[freelancer]

A little aquarium salt might pirk him up.

I got some for him and put it in, following the directions for treating disease. I appreciate the suggestion. Let's see if it does something for him.