News.com.au: Customers at the Sky Port diner near Schenectady came up with the idea of a creating a fish sling after Dick the 17-year-old goldfish fell ill in November and had difficulty swimming. Dick could barely move across the bottom of his fish tank located behind the counter.

Dick was likely suffering from swim bladder disease and prescribed a diet of cooked peas to be hand fed to Dick three times a day. To remedy Dick’s swimming problem, several customers devised a sling made up of fishing bobbers, drinking straws, gauze and string. When the fish is placed in the sling, he’s able to swim like normal.

Sherman said customers find it relaxing to sit at the counter and watch Dick in his tank. “Everybody’s rooting for him,” she said on Wednesday. “He’s the topic of conversation at the Sky Port.”