My sinking but breathing fish!!

Question
Hi, this is Corri. I recently got a new fish tank about 2 months ago. I put three fish in there, one's a fancy goldfish, one's a black bubble-eyed fish, and the other's a grey colored goldfish. Anyways, the bubble-eyed fish, it's the oldest, it's about a year old, one day just started acting all crazy. He started floating on his back at the top of the tank, then just stayed at the bottom without coming up. His fins are turning white and shredded, and he's not coming up at all, but just breathing heavily. The other fish are just fine! I didn't know what to do! I tested my water, and it said the PH level was way up, and so I got this PH down stuff. I also got this anti-fungus drops for the fish, and used them. Right now, I have every fish in a separate little tank-bowl, cuz I wasn't sure if it was contagious or not. Will it die? Will the others eventually get the same thing? How long can I keep the other fishes in separate bowls without them running out of air? Do they need a filter? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email or write back ASAP! Thanx!

Answer
Hello Corri-

If I were you, here's what I would do.

1. - Scrub the main tank with hot water, and set it back up.

2. - Put the healthy fish all back into the tank. Treat with aquarium salt.

3. - Keep the sick fish isolated...From the sound of it, he's not doing so well. Keep treating with the anti-fungus drops and add a light dose of aquarium salt to the bowl.

4. - Change the bowl water daily.

Keep this up until the fish either recovers or passes on...Hopefully he'll get better.

If you have any other questions, e-mail me at abworman@purdue.edu

But I will be going to sleep soon, so I won't get to respond until later.

Hope this is useful,
-Amber Worman