I’m so scared. I noticed my betta miracle has been struggling to breathe, it started July 2nd I just noticed him breathing heavier. Tested paramaters, everything is 0, which is normal as the tank has been established for 68 days. We had just gotten back from a 10 day vacation on June 30th, he was his normal self until July 2nd. His mouth kind of hangs open now to but he is able to close it. 

Miracle has had a history of gill flukes. He was in remission. He went through 2 4 week treatments of Prazipro and vacuuming the bottom of the tank. But I don’t think it is gill flukes this time. Usually after the 24 hour dose of Prazi, 50% water change, Prazi redose. he would be okay and back to normal, I always know to keep treating because it needs to be rid of the eggs or anything the grown flukes lay. So that’s what I did. I followed a strict treatment regimen. I figured “well maybe the flukes are back.” So i did the Prazi treatment. but he’s just getting *worse.* Today was 50% water change and redose of prazi. 

I’ve also in the past spoken to a health hotline who figured miracle may have a fatal condition due to his fins - she had seen multiple cases all leading to the same outcome and miracle is experiencing all the symptoms - it is un curable but you can keep them comfortable until it starts effecting their way of life. He’s a blue double-tail from petco. so bad genetics already. When I first rescued him he had ammonia poisoning but that was easily helped with clean water. I will have had him 8 months on july 16th. 

Up until today, he would still move around and get his zoomies, just with more longer resting periods and heavy breathing. This morning, he wiggled and chomped at me for food like normal, after he went to the bottom and would just gasp and rest. But During his water change, he was zooming around and following me. Maybe 15 minutes after he lost his energy again. But now, i led him to a comfier place at the surface so he can breathe easier and he hasnt moved. I’m just at a loss of what to do.

I was thinking maybe trying medicated food?? Metroplex + Focus + Frozen Brine shrimp or Kanaplex + Focus + frozen brine shrimp. but I don’t even know what he has.

He has always had prominent white circles around his eyes. They have never been cloudy. they are NOW starting to become cloudy. He had been through 3 kanaplex treatments (all at different times) in the past due to thinking he had bilateral popeye, but i was told and started to believe he just had big ole bug eyes. but now his eyes are cloudy. so popeye? which maybe kanaplex in the form of medicated food may be the right thing to try now? 

I didn’t try a salt bath, as I don’t think it’s related to his swim bladder in anyway, I did look into it since I am aware doubletails are prone to those issues.

don’t think its velvet, because no new additions to the tank in awhile and i shined a flash on him in pitch dark and no gold dust look.

i have looked in his mouth, looks normal. nothing looks stuck.

i don’t want to over-medicate.

12g tank, parameters all perfect (api liquid test kit), pest snails as mates, lots of plants/driftwood/decor/tannins, tank 68 days, fish almost 8 months. 

meds i have on hand: metroplex, kanaplex, focus, expel-p, paracleanse, prazipro, stressguard

apologies if this made no sense. i’m a bit hysterical and cannot stop crying, this fish is my whole world and I knew one day he was going to die - i even prepared for it. well i thought i did. i just don’t want to lose him if this is something preventable, and unrelated to other health issues he has/had. 

tldr: fish gasping for air, mouth open (can still close it) hiding at bottom of tank. currently at top of tank breathing. has a past of gill flukes, but was in remission for a little while now. tried prazi pro but no change. eyes are starting to become cloudy. he is STILL EATING. crazy appetite which is normal for him. Is there anything else i can do? try medicated food? 

Please help.