What's Going On With My Betta?

[littlehypnotic]

Six weeks ago I bought a betta from Petsmart. All was well until a week ago, when he started turing white under his head and along his sides. It's kind of flaky or crusty looking (not cottony, I don't think). taking Petsmart's advice, gave him Melafix, though that didn't seem to do anything. Today I noticed he is very sluggish, and his gills are red. He did eat this am.
Any advice would be super. Thanks

 

[WILDER]

You could be dealing with body flukes or columnaris, what are your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,even if i ask you if the fish is flicking on things it still can point both ways.
Can you get a pic up.

 

[littlehypnotic]

Thanks for the response. No, the betta isn't flicking. I'll post the water stats tommorow (I have to go to Petsmart to get a sample tested). Also, I forgot to mention that his tank is new; he's been cycling it for 12 days. I did a water change on days 8 and 10 (at the suggestion of fish store employee). He has a 5 gallon filtered and heated tank.
Cheers

 

[WILDER]

To be honest i would medicate if its assolated with a bacterial med at half dose and a parasite med at half dose, but you will really have to increase aeration in the tank.
As by he sounds of it the slime coat is drying out and it's lost it's protective barrier.