HELP Please

Question
QUESTION: 10 gallon, I have 2 goldfish, one is about 4 inches (asking about)and other one is about 2 inches, onnce a month. I have one fish by itself in a tank until he gets better I change his water every 2 to 3 days.

About a month ago my goldfish started swimming on its side. So I googled it and it said that maybe it was "swim bladder" and to feed it peas. I have been doing that for about 2 to 3 weeks now. He is still swimming on his side. Now I have a new problem he has these black spots on his belly. What is that? Help please.

ANSWER: Hi Heather:  Try to feed him brine shrimp... and make sure he is pooping.  Add aquarium salt to the water as a means of precaution.  The black spots are pigmentation and goldfish get black spots when they are stressed.  It is important that the fish is pooping so please let me know... dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dave, Thank you so much. So if I feed him the brine shrimp will he maybe start swimming right instead of on his side? After I make sure that he is pooping should I put him back in the big tank and keep feeding him by hand? is it ok to put the salt in the big tank that I have? With the other fish as well as the sick fish? I really do thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Healther:  The hope is that he is suffering from an intestinal blockage and that the brine shrimp will help him to pass the blockage.  If this is successful... then as parts of the blockage are passed he will be able to swim in a more normal position.  Goldfish are prone to intestinal blockages especially when they are feed dry food such as pellets... I would leave him in the isolation tank until he is swimming normally.  You can add salt to the big tank... just make sure you does the salt for goldfish and not for tropical fish... dave