Okiemavis, cold in itself isn't what we're concerned about. The temp issue, and the reason I asked for the temp of both the standing water and the tank just before adding the clean water is because of temp fluctuation.
While it is true that a
Goldfish does best between 65 - 68 degrees, if the water in the tank is 75 and you add water that is 65, it creates a cold pocket that the fish swim through, and this rapid, drastic change in temp is what is so dangerous. A fish's body can't handle such a rapid change in temperature. Fortunately
Goldfish tend to be a little sturdier than some of their tropical cousins, but the end result can still be the same if the changes are too rapid, to drastic, or too often.
Water that changes temp of more than 1 - 2 degrees in the course of the day can be enough to make any fish sick. It is highly likely that the light over the tank is warming the water, and if it were mine, I'd simply turn it off and leave it off.
After reading this entire thread again and reviewing the videos again, it seems to me that this fish is still likely suffering from damage to the nervous system, in which case there is nothing to be done for it. Continue the epsom salt treatments and water changes for about 2 more days, then stop adding salts and back the water changes to 25% daily.
Knowing the pH in the tank is one thing... the reason I asked for pH reading in both water sources is because I'd like to compare to see if this also is different enough to be causing harm. Here again we are dealing with drastic changes, and the effects of a rapid pH drop are similar to that of the shock from drastic temp change. Without a reading on both water sources, there is no way to determine what else may be causing a problem, or how to fix it if it is.
I promise I don't ask questions just for the sake of asking... I'm not a nosey person by any means. I am asking because I am in the position of a Dr trying to diagnose an illness before something really bad happens. I understand what all of the answers to these questions mean when they are put together. There is a balance I am looking for, and at times like this, just the slightest thing may be off and that is all it would take to cause such a severe problem. With answers to the questions I ask, I am able then to judge how the answers relate to each other. Just like I was able to watch that first video and diagnose the swim bladder problem instantly. I have been doing this for a living for over 10 yrs now, I have studied under some of the top people in the fish industry/hobby, and my husband is an aquatic biologist. Teaching about fish care and health issues, nutrition, etc... this is my career, and most of my training has been hands on. I come here to help because I, unlike most professionals in this industry, have the time to devote, the concern for the animals, and am not concerned with making my living with it... I have a living made other ways. (and yes, those other ways are still in this industry) I have spent enough years in pet stores to know that the majority of employees in a LFS don't know squat about fish or their environment. The fact that someone sold a
Goldfish for a 2.5 gallon tank (which was an upgrade from it's original home) says it all right there. LFS's don't make enough money to pay the kinds of wages it would take to staff all experts. The store where I worked had their way around it. They wanted a staff of experts, so they forced us to train and become experts in order to work there. I lived on $6.50/hr for over 6 yrs, because I was an expert and the job just doesn't pay. Some of us with the training & formal education have also learned a deep passion for what we do, and in understanding that not nearly enough people do what we do, we make sacrafices of our own for the greater good.
If you could please post those pH levels and temps for me, I can then help further. Don't worry about the microwaved water at this point, there isn't anything that can be done about it now.... you just don't want to do it again. Sometimes it takes a long time to learn all of the things needed to raise a happy, healthy fish... be patient with yourself and let us help! I know you don't know me personally, but I'm sure a lot of others here on the board can vouch for me... I know what I'm doing and talking about, and my only desire is to save your fish and see it properly cared for. This board is here anytime you need help, and we are always glad to help.
The fish sounds as if its on the road to recovery, so give it time, watch it carefully, and helps us to help you with figuring out what else is going on in there that still needs fixing.
The #1 lesson in fish keeping....
patience.
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