sinking fish

Question
I am stumped as to what to do to help my fishy and I am moving in a week! My platy is helpless at the bottom of the tank (10g). I did a water change a few days ago because I thought that was what was ailing him but my other fish a black molly is fine. (thankfully not eating his tank buddy) I was planning to move them into a friends tank for a day while I move into a new apartment but I'm worried if i move the platy while it is in this condition it will be eaten in her tank (community 10g with a number of fish more than my two and black mystery smail but are pretty small)or stressed. He isn't swimming. He rests on the bottom. Mostly breathing heavily. I see no signs of inflamation, no spots, his eyes look fine. His back fin is up, and he is moving his side fins though not moving. When he doesn move he swims ina  spurt and is disoriented. I removed the plants I had to keep better watch to see if hes living. I don't know what to do.
If you can offer any advice I'd appreciate it.


Answer
Hi Ashley,
This looks like Swim Bladder Disease.  Swim Bladder is caused by constipation, overeating, and poor diet.  Try feeding him a cooked frozen pea.  Remove the outer layer, and cut it into small pieces. Try feeding this to him, and hopefully he will eat, and clean out his system.  All fish should have one pea a week, and on the day you feed them the peas, they should have nothing else to eat.  This is to prevent SBD.  If he refuses to eat the pea, you will have to treat him with an antibiotic.  The best one would be Kanamycin, but it is very hard to find.  If you cannot find it, treat him with tetracycline, of furan 2.
I hope the little man pulls through.
Lynda