Betta looks sick

[tizme]

We've noticed in the past that when the betta male is cold, his head and upper gills turn color (lighten). However, when he seems well, his color is vibrant. We've been carefully monitoring the temperature and its been about 76 - 78 degrees. However, he's swimming rather weird (knocking into walls and squiggling like he's drunk) and his coloring seems much lighter (like when he's cold). Any ideas?  :

(3-gal Eclipse tank, fed 2x per day w/2 live money wort plants)

 

[catfishmike]

gosh thats a hard one,can you move him to a q-tank or large bowl.also have you seen the fish exceret recently,consipation can make a fish swim funny,presses on the swim bladder or something.try bettamax by aquatronics.my favorite purple
betta was real sluggish after he riped his tail i used this stuff and he cleaned right up. i never recomend something i don't use.keep an eye on him and reply back.

 

[tizme]

After my post, I scanned the board.  I found a recommended website... www.bettatalk.com.  It had a health section.  In the health section, some Diseases are explained.  Among those described, one sounds possible:  External Parasites.  The symptoms: "It is easy to diagnose a betta with external parasites: It will dart and scratch itself against anything it can find, such as gravel, rocks, heaters, tank walls, etc… You will probably never be able to actually see the parasites themselves. Look instead for a behavioral change in your betta. If it looks like it is on speed or acid, then it has parasites!!"  I described mine as "drunk" while above they say "speed or acid".  

??? The recommendations are Aquarium Salt and Aquarisol.  Have any experience using these?  We also have a golden algae eater in the tank... will the salt be a problem?