Why is the fish upside down?

Question
I have set up the tank for 11 months. It's a 10 gallon tank. I have goldfish 3 big 3 small. Whisper 5-15 gallon filter system. The fish is upside when not swimming. Why? Is there any way to help him? When it's swimming, it bangs against the glass and the fish tries to swim on the right position but it always flips upside down. Please Answer my question as soon as possible, so I can save my fish. Thank you  

Answer
Hi Richard;

He has indigestion which has caused intestinal gas. It can be fatal, so feed him cooked green peas popped from their little round shells to help him 'pass it'. Feed only the peas until he is swimming normally. The other fish will benefit from it as well so don't worry if they get some. Goldfish need foods like peas, chopped spinach, brine shrimp, romaine lettuce to keep them healthy and avoid problems like this. Give them these 'green foods' 3 times a week along with a reduced amount of their regular food.

Another problem your fish will be having is overcrowded conditions. A 10 gallon tank is only adequate for one goldfish once it gets 4 inches or so. A larger tank is needed once they get over 4 inches. Goldfish are deep-bodied and very messy fish that need lots of room. They get 6 to 8 inches long and require more space than smaller and thinner types of fish. That's why goldfish do so well in outdoor ponds. They are big enough to accomodate them and goldfish just love it.

To keep your fish alive until you can get them a larger tank, make plenty of water changes. Remove 25% of the water at least once a week and don't overfeed. Goldfish are natural born gluttons and will eat until it won't go in their mouth anymore. All they need is one feeding per day.  Make sure there is no food leftover anywhere in the tank 5 minutes after you feed them. If there is food left on the gravel, decorations etc., more than 5 minutes after they are fed, feed less next time until you can get it down to a safer amount. Hide the food can if you have to if other people in your house are feeding too. It's a common problem with all pets. We love them with food. It just isn't healthy to do it too much.

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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