Hello and help!  I have a 90 gal stock tank with wild born shubunkins that I rescued several years ago from a BLM stock tank (all the water leaked out).  I just found one laying sideways on the bottom.  It cant swim or stay upright.  I filled a 5 gal bucket with the pond water and brought it inside, warmed it up very gradually, put in a bubbler, but it is not recovering and is still laying sideways on the bottom.  I had one do this last year too, but it recovered.  What causes this, and what can I do to save it?  Jewels

HI Cheri, thank you.  I have a big 300 gal filtration system in the tank, with a water feature for aeration.  The water comes from our well and is not treated, and has always tested very well.  In his little bucket in the house, it has aeration but not a filter yet.  If I "float" the fish in my hand, and put food in front of his mouth, he eats.  I am starting to think that maybe the fish has a physical injury, as he doesnt seem to be able to use his tail, but can move his front fins a bit.  Also, he is extremely thin.  No other signs of any disease at all. I dont know what to do.  He was a little stronger tonight, staying upright in my hand and struggling a bit, but on his own goes down to the bottom either sideways or upside down.  What is a humane way to put down a fish?  Thanks for your comments, I appreciate the advice.  Jewels

I hope he gets better! But if he does not improve in a few days and seems to be suffering, you can euthanize by placing him in a shallow dish of water and freezing it (some people wrap in a damp towel and freeze that way) or by using clove oil.

Yes the gills are supposed to be a fleshy red but not bloody. 1 tspn salt per gallon to start then you can increase it. If you suspect swim bladder then stop feeding pellets and no bloodworms. Feed only peas (shelled and cut) or small bites of plain canned pumpkin. Swim bladder disorder is often caused by constipation or gas which can be helped by diet.