crazy fish disease - ulcers, weird smell from tank water

[ewok]

hi i got a free FH from a friend who asked me to try and get it back to health.
a bit of a background.

- fish is around 7"
- fish was barely even moving when being moved from the tank to the bucket and back into the hospital tank after getting home
- there was a horrible smell from the tank water. it smelled like ammonia or something crazy like that. it was slightly nauseating, and i am in the process of disinfecting the bucket and net as i speak with bleach
- fish does not move AT ALL. it's just next to the filter. i've tapped the glass a bit and it shows no signs of moving. i can't even tell if the gills are moving
- fish has an ulcer next to his breeding tube. the breeding tube is fully extended outwards. the ulcer is nearly dime size and the tissue around it looks spongy

currently i have it in a small 10 gallon hospital tank. water is set to 82F. so far i've added aquarium salt and melafix (for ulcers)

i don't know what i'm dealing with but i'd like to get some help.
thanks.

 

[Lupin]

Check your water parameters with API liquid test kit. Chances are your tank is on cycling phase which is evident with the smell of ammonia wafting in your tank.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

My advice is to drop the melafix and salt, get that fish a 30 gal tank and put a cycled filter on it and do small daily water changes. You're stressing him needlessly with the salt & melafix when what he needs is more room and perfect water quality. You've got to have a test kit. No one with fish should be without one.