My betta is floating and can't swim down

Tank

What is the water volume of the tank?
-5 gallons
How long has the tank been running?
-about 1 year
Does it have a filter?
-yes
Does it have a heater?
-yes
What is the water temperature?
-82°
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)
-1 betta fish

Maintenance
How often do you change the water?
-weekly
How much of the water do you change?
-25%
What do you use to treat your water?
-Aqueon water conditioner
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?
-Substrate

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
-Yes
What do you use to test the water?
-API fresh water master kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm
pH: 7.4

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
-Once a day
How much do you feed your fish?
-10 to 12 pellets (they're small), soaked in tank water 10 minutes prior to feeding
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
-Hikari Betta Bio-Gold
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods?
-No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
-about a year
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
-About an hour ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
-Floating on side, can't go down even if he tries
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
-No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
-No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?
-Still looks the same but not active today considering he can only float on his side

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
-He was perfectly fine yesterday. I usually fast him on Saturday (today) so I didn't look at him this morning like I usually do. I went to do his water change, which I do Saturdays, and noticed him floating on his side. I went to touch him and he swam away from me, still at the top and on his side. I checked the parameters, did a water change, checked the parameters again. The parameters are the same after as they were before. He's not bloated and is still fairly alert.

 

Over last few days has he been at top more?
I've never dealt with it but if over last week has been at surface more could be swim bladder disorder

 

Over last few days has he been at top more?
I've never dealt with it but if over last week has been at surface more could be swim bladder disorder

Not that I've noticed. Most times he's hanging out in the middle of the plants.

 

When they float like that it is almost always a swim bladder issue.

You may need to fast him for two days, and try giving him an epsom salt bath. (1 tablespoon of plain epsom salts to one gallon of water). Don't use scented epsom salts, or epsom salts that have anything added to it. Prepare the bath by making sure the epsom salts are fully dissolved. The bath water needs to be the same temp as the aquarium he is coming out of. You should also have a second recovery container filled with his aquarium water ready after you take him out of the bath. He should stay no longer than 15 minutes in the epsom salt bath. Hopefully doing these two things will help him get back to normal.

Even though those pellets are small (I used them too), I would not feed him that many. I feed my betta no more than 3 or 4 once a day. If the betta is an adult, they don't need to eat as much as younger bettas do.

 

I had mollys do this it was a swim bladder issue.

 

When they float like that it is almost always a swim bladder issue.

You may need to fast him for two days, and try giving him an epsom salt bath. (1 tablespoon of plain epsom salts to one gallon of water). Don't use scented epsom salts, or epsom salts that have anything added to it. Prepare the bath by making sure the epsom salts are fully dissolved. The bath water needs to be the same temp as the aquarium he is coming out of. You should also have a second recovery container filled with his aquarium water ready after you take him out of the bath. He should stay no longer than 15 minutes in the epsom salt bath. Hopefully doing these two things will help him get back to normal.

Even though those pellets are small (I used them too), I would not feed him that many. I feed my betta no more than 3 or 4 once a day. If the betta is an adult, they don't need to eat as much as younger bettas do.

Today is day 3 of fasting him and he appears to be doing better. I didn't realise I was feeding him too much. Thank you for the help.

 

Today is day 3 of fasting him and he appears to be doing better. I didn't realise I was feeding him too much. Thank you for the help.

You are very welcome! I am so glad he is doing better!