Bloated Betta Also

[Danyel]

My betta's stomach is bloated, and he is always either on the gravel or laying on a plant. I feed once a day: flakes or brine shrimp, today he wasn't really interested in eating... He also has problems swimming, where it is like he is being pulled down. This has been going on now for a weekish?

I am not sure what to do for him, or what is wrong with him

Edit: Also he is bloated in one spot, it is not like an all over bloated fish. It is a bulge, more noticable in one side.

[Cichlidsrule]

It sounds like SBD (Swim Bladder Disorder). Most fish have an internal organ filled with gas to control their buoyancy. They can alter the level of gas contained in it so that they don't sink to the bottom or float to the top.

This can be caused by a number of things. Since he is not eating now, most likely, your betta was overfed, causing the stomach to enlarge and press in on the swim bladder.

Fast your fish for about 3 days. If the swelling doesn't seem to go down, then fast your fish for another 3 days or so (bettas can go up to a month without food). If, after a week or two without food, the swelling hasn't gone down, try feeding it a shelled green pea or some daphnia to act as a laxative, as it's possible your betta is constipated.
If it still doesn't work, it's possible the bladder may have ruptured. In this case, all you can do is resume feeding him (DON'T overfeed) and hope for the best.