Betta Laying On Side At Bottom Of Tank

Seb, the plakat betta, is currently laying on his side at the bottom of the tank.
Water parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 40 nitrate (same as tap water). Temperature is 26-27C, and by water is 17dH. The tank last had a clean & water change on 18th.
Seb has been laying on his side since last night. His colour is still good, his gills are moving, but he hasn't been to the surface for air. He will move a little if he has to, but that's about it.
I've had a rummage around the internet, and I'm not coming up with anything obvious. A couple of articles said that if they are still eating then there is still hope, so I used the aquascaping forceps to offer a bloodworm, which was eaten.
Any suggestions welcome.

Should I drop the water level so he can breath from the surface without moving too much?

Bettas are such odd creatures. They can go from fit and healthy to really sick in such a short time. My last two were like this. But that is no consolation to you 


You need to either lower the water level or put him in some sort of container floating at the surface. As you are aware, he needs to be able to gulp air so if he can't reach the surface himself, you need to get him nearer the surface by some means or other. If you can filter the 19 litre while having the water level low that would be perfect. One proviso - if you intend using it again to grow algae, will the algae covered rocks be used in tanks with inverts? Any medication residue could contaminate the rocks/algae.

Do not use melafix, bettafix or pimafix with any anabatid. The organic oils they contain affect the labyrinth organ. But if you have eSHa 2000, that would be my first choice, followed by Myxazin as a second.


How long have you had Seb?

I think I've had him since around mid-2016.
Yes, I'm aware that he is knocking on a bit.

If you've had him 2 years he is anything from 2 1/2 to 3 years old - they are between 6 and 12 months when they go for sale. 2 years +/- a few months is the longest I've had a betta.

Now he's in the small tank, see how he goes. Make sure ammonia doesn't build up, then all you can do is keep your fingers crossed.


It is always sad to see fish go downhill like this, particularly fish with personality 

Did you use fresh chlorinated water for him? Water changes are always a good thing in my book... sorry but that's all I have to add apart for wishing you and Seb all the best! 

He's currently in 5L of dechlorinated water in the 19L tank in the spare room. The tank is in the bottom of an open-fronted cabinet, and I've been laying on the floor watching him. He has moved a little, but is still on his side. Although I've put some filter sponge in front of the filter so the flow isn't too strong, Seb has positioned himself between the cave and the shrimp tubes, and under the elodea. I guess it's the quietest spot in the tank.
I'll see how things are tomorrow, and do a small water change if he's still with us.

I'll be doing a water change for Seb today.

He's still laying on his side, but still alive.

Any advice?

I've been up since 6am, but it's taken several cups of coffee before I felt able to go and have a look at him. I've also been thinking, and I know this seems quite pessimistic, but how long do I keep him like this before I consider more drastic action if he's not getting better? I don't want him to be suffering. Also, how do you euthanise a betta?

I have a small bottle of clove oil in my emergency cupboard.
I was asking about this because there was a debate in PFK within the past few months on the topic, and I remembered some discussion about clove oil and anabantoid fish, the clove oil forming a layer at the surface, and how painful it could be for fish with labyrinth organs.
I've just gone back and checked on the article, and thorough mixing, and use of an airstone to keep the clove oil mixed with the water, are suggested. They end with noting that clove oil is still the best way to euthanise a fish, for those who don't want to go down the route of blunt force and pithing (and let's face it, who wants to do that unless it is absolutely necessary  ).

Just a couple of quick questions - after the water change, should I start some esha2000 today? And should I try to feed him? He had a bloodworm yesterday.

Thanks @Sue  - you rock!

Just off to start preparing for the water change, etc.