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I've had my betta Birkin for a little over a year. Up until a week or two ago, he was perpetually perky in every tank he'd ever been in (he was in a ten gallon community tank and then he was moved to he 46 gal community tank). Anyway, I noticed that he always stays down at the bottom of the tank and it takes a long time and a great amount of effort for him to reach the surface for air or food. I moved him to a smaller tank so he wouldn't be bothered by my other fish and I could make sure he was actually getting food. His condition hasn't improved and he's having troubling swimming up to the surface of the water, even though it's only about six inches. His color has faded from a deep red to a depressing beige. He tends to stay in the bottom corner of the tank, somtimes facing up, but usually laying on his side. His breathing is faster than usual. He's still eating, but it takes a while for him to get to the surface for the food. I change the water regularly (about once a week) and I use Prime to condition the water. Any ideas as to what's wrong or what I should do?

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
pH: 7
Temp: 79 degrees

Thanks in advance.

If hes having clear difficulty breathing you could try adding another airstone to increase oxygenation.That might help give him the strength to recover. Is there any inflammation or redness around the gills?

Is his faeces normal?