my half dollar fish

Question
aight my half dollar fish is swimming at the bottom of the tank an it usually swims around everywhere an at the top and its mouth never stayed open but now its opening an closing like it cant breath or something an i just woundering whats wrong with my fish its opens an closes like a treasure chest like a jaring motion

Answer
Hi James:  sounds like your fish has some kind of infection going on... either bacterial or parasitical.  There are two diseases that come to mind... Flukes and Shimmies... I would start by upping the tank temperature to about 80-82 degrees and adding aquarium salt per its instruction label. You will also need to add more oxygen to the water because of the elevated temperature.  I wouldn't medicate at this point because we don't know what your fish has if... anything.  Please keep me posted about his condition... dave