Betta Fish: Sick Betta, Please Help

Hi all,

I got my boy in September and over the last week, he’s had clamped fins and now I’ve noticed a white circle on his head. Hard to take a picture as he’s swimming erratically, but please see the first photo.

Initially I thought the issue was an internal parasite or wasting disease, as he’s struggled to gain weight despite being fed a mix of Fluval Bug Bites, brine shrimp and bloodworms (the latter as a treat). I’ve also only ever seen him poo once, which I know is wild. I watch him a lot because I work from home, so he’s my work buddy.

The appearance of the white circle on his head makes me unsure whether that’s the issue, or whether it’s two issues being compounded. Please help ID’ing! Treatment suggestions would be very welcome as I desperately want to get him better.

I have the API master test kit and parameters are as follows:

pH: 7.8

Ammonia: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 10 ppm

I know the pH is on the high side. Removed the seashells that came with me secondhand tank and have used Indian Almond leaves to try and lower pH.

I gave him an aquarium salt bath yesterday to see if that helped. Usually do a 30% water change one a week. Since he’s been ill, have been doing so more often.

There are 6 amano shrimp in the tank as a clean-up crew so ideally treatment would be shrimp-safe. Also some baby snails which hitchhiked from live plants, but I’m trying to remove them.

Full tank picture included so you can see his set-up. Last pic is what he looked like a couple weeks ago before he got sick for comparison 🙁

Please do engage/make suggestions as to what might be wrong here. I’m so fond of the little guy.

Thanks!