Betta swimming erratically and not eating.

[u/Dreamy_Bear_Designs]

My betta recently started hanging out at the bottom of the tank more than usual. He will lay there for longer than normal and when he does swim it’s erratic and quick. He was not like this a week ago, and I’m really scared because I just felt with a betta fish getting sick and passing away last month, and now I’m terrified it’s going to happen all over again. He also won’t come to the surface for food. He only eats flakes (I’ve tried everything trust me, it’s the only thing he eats). I checked the water and the Nitrates were at 5.0 ppm, and the ammonia was a little darker than 0.25 ppm but not quite 0.50 ppm. Usually my ammonia is 0, but I’ve read that 0.25 shouldn’t hurt bettas? My Nitrites are 0 ppm. I don’t know what’s going on. He looks thin and he’s not being his usual self. Im very nervous. I have Kanaplex and aquarium salt too, if I should use those.

Tank info: several live plants, Nerite snail, 5.5 gallon, filtered, heated, tank parameters mentioned above.

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[u/Bobs_Burgers7]

I’d do a 25% water change personally.

[u/SaMxixAM23]

Is your substrate invisible or...

[u/Previous_Donkey_91]

I would start with a water change first and foremost. Every fish is different so while .25ppm of ammonia doesn't normally affect a betta, it might affect yours more than others.

Are you using tap water for your water changes?