In many cases a sick fish is easily fixed, sometimes just by letting the fish be, it'll recover, other times it requires simple, to more drastic measures to take care of. The two simplest methods are as follows.
#1: check your water conditions, often a sick fish is a sign that there's something amiss with the water quality. High ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite levels can be deadly to a fish. In an established tank these levels should be 0, new tanks can fluctuate.
If the levels are off, simply doing a 10-20% water change can produce almost immediate results. The fish will have an easier time and their stress levels will go down, and they'll recover. Sometimes a larger water change is needed, this should be done carefully though, as you could potentially stress the fish more by doing this.
#2: Swim bladder disease. The swim bladder is present in many fish though the term is most commonly associated with bettas. This organ is basically a kind of buoyancy device, filled with gas within the fish. It allows it to stay at a particular water level without using too much energy by swimming. A fish with an issue with this organ will either have problems getting to the top of the tank or going to the bottom, (which can be confused with dropsy, but swim bladder is easier to treat and more likely to produce good results).
One of the main causes is overfeeding and constipation. Yes, your fish can get constipated. This is mainly because the foods usually given to the fish contain too little fiber, or are very rich and fatty. Most fish do require a balance of different foods to prevent this. And one of the first things I try when I suspect a fish of this is.... the common pea.
I know right. A pea? But it's true. A pea pretty much acts like a laxative for the fish, it helps the digestive process, and it's actually healthy for your fish. And even the carnivorous fish seem to like it (Granted my carnivorous fish are just danios and tetras, but I've heard others like it too)
Now of course, a fish's sickness is not always chalked up to these, generally easy to treat, illnesses. Other such illnesses can be a bit harder and more expensive to treat.
#3. Ichthyophtihirius multifilis.... also known simply as Ich, is a common ailment of fish and is caused by parasites. It is easily spotted as small to large patches of white spots on the fish, the fish may also start rubbing itself on things in the tank, itching itself.
#4. Fungus: There are many types of fungus a fish can pick up, the most common are cottony growths around the mouth or an open wound. In most cases this is a problem when dead matter, or uneaten food, is left to sit in the tank. The fungus forms and can attach to a stressed, or damaged fish.
#5. Fin rot: This can be started by fin nipping, but it is more common in poor tank conditions and an overpopulated tank. This can be seen as the tail fin disintegrating or becoming ragged.
The good news is all of these ailments can be treatable, though it takes time. It is recommended to get a hospital tank as at least Ich and Fungus are 'contagious' and you don't want to risk harming the other fish, but sometimes this just isn't possible.
In all cases medication is required. I had a fish with a fungus infection and I found that the Melafix and Pimafix combination worked best for me. Though I also like Maroxy in more stubborn fungal infections.
There are many other ailments that effect fish, caused by any number of things, from parasites to bacteria. Fish can get tumors, and there's even such diseases as fish tuberculosis.
In many cases, making sure the water conditions are good are the best preventative measures, but sometimes help is needed... and in some cases there is no cure for the ailment.
It is best to have a separate treatment tank for sick fish, that has both a heater and a filter, and some kind of aeration device to keep the oxygen levels in the tank high, but of course this isn't always an option so one must make certain to watch to be sure the other fish aren't affected. And always wash up well after treating the water, as some diseases can actually be harmful to people as well.
A final note, as in some cases it is better to get rid of the fish before it infects an entire tank, especially if it's something that cannot be cured. Flushing a sick fish is never a good plan, as that will be a very cruel death for the fish. The best way to euthanize a sick fish is first (of course) to separate it into a small container. Add clove oil to the water, as this acts as an anesthetic, pretty much putting the fish to sleep, the fish will stop breathing and will soon die. Some people say once the fish is asleep, adding vodka will quicken the death. As horrible as it sounds, it is a quick and painless death, that doesn't force the fish to suffer, and risk getting your other fish sick.
But of course that is only to be used under extreme circumstances when all else has failed and the fish is obviously suffering more by fighting.
Anyway, maybe not the most entertaining entry, but hey, knowledge is power and knowing what to look for and early treatments can in the end, help keep a healthier aquarium.
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