HELP!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Question
My goldfish is laying on his side in the bottom of my 30 gallon tank.  I have only had him about 1-1/2 years.  I have 7 total, he of course is the biggest and the one that I truly love the most.  I know that he is just a fish but I don't want him to die.  If I pull him toward the top and then let him go, he falls over on his right side and falls to the bottom.  He does not really seem to be gasping for air and is trying to swim but alas, he cannot.

Please, if you can, help me.  My fish are all that I have.  I know that it is not true that they care about me and only want me for food but when I come in my front door he always swims to the side so he can watch me come in.  I swear to you that he does this every time I come home.  

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer
Hi Donna:  fish are sometimes the best part of my life... so I understand your love of your fish.  It sounds like to me that your little guy has something called "the Shakes"... its basically described as the fish being stationary and wiggling like he is trying to swim in a slow and clumsy motion... What I'd like for you to do is to raise the temperature of your tank about four degrees... raise the temp slowly...one degree or so per hour and add aquarium salt per the instructions on its label.... please keep me posted on his progress... dave