The red bits sound like infection Is any of it poking out of the water? If so you can use vaseline to coat the bits sticking out, stops it drying out in the air. They can go a remarkably long time with no food, so it may be that it isn't eating, or not eating enough.

Is there any chance of getting it out into a tank or large container? You'd need a filter, or some big daily water changes, but that would allow you to see if it is eating and/or pooing

When it swelled up before did the scales lie flat against the body or stick out like a pinecone?

Do you know if it is a female? Have you ever seen others chasing it about and trying to spawn? If it is a female then it's possible it had some problems with egg retention last year, hard to say

If you can manage some pics that would be great Pics have to be a max of 1000x1000 pixels, and if you use attach file you can only attach one per post. If you download them to the image manager you can add them as links using img tags (lower case), again the max size is 1000x1000 pixels

Certain female as always chased and the fish i now know to be male have been paying it particular attention..nudging etc.. certain eating as seems to graze on blanket weed attached to side.. I can get a large tub sorted and have a filter I can use and house it in shed for safety - I will also apply vaseline ... does actually look flatter in the water if that makes sense ... would this be a positive change? Also it has spent some time submerged today ..and was submerged when i sent dogs out to chase the fishing cat away!.

Yes ..bottom is still above water so yes will be able to apply vaseline.

dont think fish to good..now stays at bottom of pond , has moved to a ledge bout 10inches from surface -when at bottom of pond it was actually the right way up and now is laying flat on ledge - seems to have lost some scales and ive noticed its fins are looking ragged -I did take out of pond in net to look closer and it did wriggle quite a bit - I have left it in the pond as dont really know what to do -

help please - regarding swim bladder fish ..now stays at bottom pond.. but noticed other fish biting it ..now has several cuts on its abdomin - does anyone think its time i gave up on it and called it a day?

Hi mellwo

Sorry to hear that the fish is getting worse but you should be able to help him still.

Is there any chance you can get the fish into a storage crate/large plastic box at all as Suey mentioned?

If the other fish are nipping and he is wounded some TLC on his own will be required and will allow you to treat him although large daily water changes will be needed. You can add meds to compensate for this though. A picture would really help to assist in confirming what meds he may need and hopefully he will then rally.

Do you have the pond readings for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at all?

Hi and thku ... readings were taken by aquatic centre , they said everything was fine - I can get a large tub but dont have air pump - fish can be housed in shed and im able to do water changes - fish is at bottom still but is upright - I will try for pics once its on its own..advice greatly appreciated - need to know wether to feed / pond salt / med etc ... thks again ... seems a shame to end it after such a long time of it surviving ... rite..off to source tub ...am i ok to add new pond weed to tub?