Ginger,

You need to act immediately!

When was the last time you changed your filter media? The sponge should
be changed every 3 months, the bio-Max every 6 months, the carbon every
4-6 Weeks.

Remove your fish right now and put him in a big Rubbermaid tub with
FRESH dechlored water and an airstone -- NO MEDS AT ALL. Watch the
temperature!!! If he starts to improve right away, the problem is in
your tank.

Take your filter off the tank (disconnect it first) and take a good look
at it. If you see a lot of debris, change the sponge now, and if
possible HALF of the biomax at the same time. If you have ammonia
remover, take it out immediately -- it may be leeching back into the
water. Don't use it unless you have ammonia spikes.

Remove 100% of the water with a good siphon gravel cleaner from the
bottom of the tank -- move the rocks around (I'll bet you have a lot of
gunk under those stones). Don't do this with fish in the tank!! They
will all get sick.

After cleaning out everything, (no soap, just plain water) add water
back into the tank. Don't forget to dechlor. Start up your filter with
the new sponge) Add STABILITY (Seachem) if you can find it, or CYCLE
if you can find that, and let the tank run for a couple of hours.

By now you will know if your fish is doing better or getting worse.
Either way, put him back into his tank.

Add Stress Guard as a mild antiseptic. No salt. No meds.

If the problemm was a contaminated tank, it will miraculously heal itself.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
n