Betta gill inflammation, not sure what's wrong

Hi everyone, my betta has been ill for about 10 days now.

One of his gills is inflamed so that the side of his face looks swollen. He became lethargic and his colour faded, his fins were clamped and he began resting near the surface. But he perked up after I did a 30% water change and put in Indian Almond leaves. However, 2-3 days later he was back to being lethargic and pale.

Put in more Indian Almond Leaves which seemed to help, and also a quarter dose of paraguard every other day. Didn't dare to put more paraguard because I have 5 amano shrimps and 2 nerite snails in the 5 gallon planted tank. Have also been doing 30% water changes every 3-4 days. It seemed to help but this morning I woke up after a 30% water change last night to find him ill again - poor colour, clamped fins, gill more inflamed.

Not sure what to do next or even what is wrong, I could up the dose of paraguard but I'm afraid of killing the inverts.

What is your pH of this tank and other parameters ?

pictures of the fish?

Ammonia .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ph 7.1

He's been in the tank 4 months with no problems until recently. I'll try to add pictures when I can, he's hiding now and the water is pretty dark so even with the lights on I can't get a good shot. Not sure of temp but we are both in Southeast Asia so the temperature should be fine. My other betta in a separate tank is doing fine.

Edit: Updated with picture

no picture

I've gone and took the liberty of reposting the picture for you Colin_T just in case it's still not visibile.

I'm no expert but hyperplasia? Are there any other fish in the tank with him, and what plants are in the tank, do you have ornemants?

No other fish in the tank, just him and the inverts.

Plants: Anubias and java ferns, no ornaments. The substrate is sand.

InspectorVirus said:

No other fish in the tank, just him and the inverts.

Plants: Anubias and java ferns, no ornaments. The substrate is sand.

Click to expand...

Good to hear, it seems like a nice area for him to be in. Unfortunately I don't have much advice to offer, you'll have to wait for Colin to return or for someone else to give a helping hand. I just thought I'd post my two cents and repost the picture for you (seems as Colin was having difficulties).

regardless, best of luck with Greg

Thanks Shiverz. Unfortunately he's worse today, I think I may have to prepare for the inevitable