Is my goldfish checking out?

Question
For the past three days my goldfish (10 cent commet) has been on its side at the bottom of the bowl.  It is breathing and occasionally moves about although today it did a spiral and couldn't swim a straight line at all. When this started I had not changed the water, I have since changed the water thinking that would help.  I removed the rocks and have not fed the fish since this started.  Today I gave it some shelled peas, but they haven't been touched.  I moved the bowl to a cooler room within my home.  Is the fish checking out or is there something I can do to help?  The kid at the petstore said if I decide to euthanize, to put the fish in water and put it in the freezer.  That seems awfully cruel and I'm hoping this isn't necessary.

Answer
Hi Geanne,

Your goldfish is acting very odd.  Usualy I would tell you that your fish probably has SBD (swim bladder disorder).  But fasting it and feeding it skinned peas is the treatment for this.  It is probably the fact that there is no oxygen going into the water, which is the problem with most bowls.  You might want to try putting an airstone in the bowl but that would make it to crowded.  I suggest getting a small tank to put him in (5-10 gallons).

I hope I helped,
James