Inflamed Gills and Odd Vertical Positioning

[JacquelineG]

My apologies for no introduction, but I'm hoping someone is on right now that could help me out. I have determined my fish has inflamed gills, he is breathing (gasping) rapidly and tomorrow (I hope that's not too late, as it is nearly 4am now) will pick him up some meds.
However, several days before this he began floating vertically, sometimes with his tail fin resting on a surface, almost propping him up. I figured he was just being weird, he has personality, but now I'm thinking his fins are and have been clamped up. He now swims sort of like how a dolphin dives, as if he's using only his nose/head. Does anyone know which meds might cure his gills and his fins..or is one a direct result of the other? Will he need more than one med?
Please help, I inherited this fish some time ago (he's pretty old) and he's my buddy. *SICK*

 

[JacquelineG]

Ugh..sorry, I forgot to mention I just changed his water/tank/shells, I do this religiously every 5 days and how long can a fish acting this way live? I'm so afraid he's gonna die before I can get him help.

 

[Lotus]

This site might help you diagnose what's wrong with the fish: http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/gill_disorders.html

Definitely do some water tests to make sure your levels are OK.

 

[JacquelineG]

Okay, so .. I bought medicine specifically for gill flukes, ACE (gets rid of ammonia/chlorine/and chloramines and had some AMMO lock, which detoxifies the ammonia but does not remove it. I tested his water afterward, (newly changed last night) and of course ammonia was present because Ammo lock detoxifies only, I had not added ACE at this time. Okay..So I decide to change his water yet again, this time, the cup I placed him in was treated with ACE, with new water, no ammo lock and I tested for ammonia to make sure it would be clear. It was. The vial remained light yellow, indicating little to no ammonia present.
So..I treated his bowl, after adding new water and tested. Ammonia level was nearly 2.0..I added more ACE, rinsed the vial, dried it, tested again. 1.0.
So I thought maybe he needs a different bowl, so I dug out and cleaned/rinsed the large goldfish bowl he'd come to me in. I added new water, ACE, tested..2.0. Added more and more, ammonia levels hang at 1.0. What is going on?
I left him in his little cup (which tested nearly 0%) and added some medicine to that water, he seems more comfortable, able to reach the surface and I think the meds are helping, he's not breathing as rapidly, but still not looking well.
My problem is finding something to put him in..why would adding something that supposedly removes ammonia test positive for the same stuff? I'm confused. I don't wanna place him in anything until it tests clear, and so far, only the small cup of water is suitable.

 

[MOsborne05]

What kind of a fish is it? If it's a betta or gourami then it can stay in the little cup for a few days as long as you give it fresh water. It probably would be better to keep it in the little cup so it would have an easier time getting to the surface to breathe. Also, what do you keep it in? A regular glass fish bowl or an aquarium??

 

[TLH]

Yeah,what sort of fish are we talking about?Goldfish?
If you're going to use a bowl make sure the water level isn't too high.You want the greatest amount of water surface area you can get ideally.

 

[JacquelineG]

He's a Betta, and I normally keep him in a large vase (about 1/2 gallon).
I have never, ever experienced any problems before this, for nearly two years, it's the same routine, same vase/bowl, same treatment.
I am puzzled about the ammonia readings on the newly treated/prepared water in two different containers. (one's that vase, the other a large goldfish bowl, about 1 gallon) So..it has to be the containers, right? I just tested the water in the cup he's in, again it's little or no ammonia percentage.
Both containers are glass, do they need special treatment while cleansing, other than scrubbing? I've never experienced this before, I'm completely willing to buy a new container.

 

[JacquelineG]

Oh, also, does anyone know how often my fish should be treated with Anti-Fluke? Every water change? In this cup, should it be every day, it's only about 3 fingers deep..

 

[Lotus]

The cup is only going to stress your betta more, as the ammonia and nitrites will get high in only a cupful of water. I would advise you putting him in a larger container.

In general, bettas need clean, warm, filtered water to be in the best health, or daily water changes.

 

[JacquelineG]

Okay, I left both bowls (formerly testing too high for ammonia) sit out for a couple of hours and only one (the vase) is now testing with little or no ammonia. I checked it twice to be sure, so I've lowered the water level and added no ornamentation, and carefully placed him into it, with a fresh does of Anti-fluke.
How soon after would a betta begin to show improvement?

 

[JacquelineG]

Great, now he's lying at the bottom of the bowl, flat! Should I move him back to the cup?!

 

[JacquelineG]

My apologies, I'm so worried/stressed about my fish. He's back to his 'seahorse' stance, not gasping, but still not looking well. I hate to even go to sleep, but we'll see how he is in the morning. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[TLH]

If he's that old is it possible he had a stroke and now just can't get his equilibrium right?
Does he swim away when you try to catch him or is he just docile now all the time?

 

[JacquelineG]

It's all speculation now, my fish has died.
Oddly enough, I figured he would float, but he still lies at the bottom of the jar, albeit lifeless, no breathing whatsoever, no movement.
I did have him a long time after my dad had him, so it was likely his time. This was my first and only fish and I feel despite recent events I did a good job of caring for him, but I will not be caring for another. Thank you everyone for your input and insight, it is much appreciated.
Take care.