Help with a Betta?

I cannot fully explain the whisps in the water, though they may be decaying strands of poop (not great), shedded pieces of slime coat (BAD), or a biofilm from the inside of the bowl (not bad). If it's making a bunch of bubbles, my guess is that it's not a female. Does the red spotting appear to be kinda streaky? If so, it may have septicemia, which is a bacterial infection. The clamped fins also suggest septicemia, but could mean the water is too cold, as well (it should be 75*+).

My suggestion is to get him/her into a REAL tank with a heater and filter. At the very least, get him/her into a bucket (that has NEVERY had any cleaning chemicals in it) with a a space heater near it to keep the temperature between 75-80* (you could go higher eventually, but you don't want to send the fish into shock from a drastic temperature change). This ~may~ clear up the clamped fins, and will certainly help it fight off the septicemia. I would strongly suggest getting ahold of some Maracyn 2 just in case the septicemia (redness) continues.

Lastly, bubbles are NOT a sign of health, happiness, or anything other than the fact that you likely have a male Betta. Males do this instinctively, regardless of condition. Some will make nests in the coldest, scummiest cups in pet stores when they're almost dying, while others will never make them, even in the warmest, largest, most perfect tank.

Septicemia affecting the base of the tail: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/library/factsheet...

The white spots may be eggs, don't worry. But pics would help to see if it's ick or something like that. And her bowl is too small, and actually probably is the cause of any illness. Bettas need heated water. Can you properly heat a tiny bowl? And how often is the water changed? Ammonia buildup may also be a factor. Mail me with questions/answers. n___n

5.5 inches? A bowl is not enough for a betta. They need at least 1 gallon with frequent water changes. Just because they can breathe air if they need to, doesn't mean they need little water. If your bowl is only 5.5 inches that would be why she doesn't move.

Females will rarely blow bubbles, but they will. How old is she? She could have been mislabeled as a male if you just got her in a pet store.

Try a bit of fish salt to help with her breathing and stress. I do that whenever my fish seem to have any clampy fins.

The white spots could be related to eggs. I've heard, not sure the truth to it, they can get lighter on the bottom when they have eggs.

if the white looks like grains of salt she may have ick.

Just because a female Betta is blowing a bubble nest doesn't mean you are taking great care of her, it only means she needs a place to lay her eggs. My female bettas blow bubble nest all the time. This is good because then they will release their eggs.

Her clamped fins and the cloudiness may be due to how small your tank is, In my experience bettas do best in a tank at least 5 gallons. My bettas are all in ten gallons.

With bettas in ten gallons Ive have bettas live seven years.

I too suggest bettatalk.com

its a great website.

she might have eggs? usually wen females hav white on their underside, tht means eggs and alot of bubbles also means a place to lay the eggs so ur betta might b pregnant! this is my assumption so investigate more

first off heres a AWESOME betta site

http://www.bettatalk.com/

second off are you sure you dont have a young male betta because males blow bubble nests....but i've heard of females RARELEY blow them that means your taking GREAT care of her keep doing what your doing...i can 100% garentee you you have one freaking happy betta!

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good luck to you and your happy betta