Using salt in the freshwater aquarium! In this article, we will discuss when we can use salt in the fish tanks.
The next time your fish is sick, the cure may not be so far away from you, but on your kitchen table. Common salt is a useful remedy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases in freshwater fish. It mainly helps in the healing of injuries, it also promotes the formation of the coating that protects the fish, improves the functions of the gills, reduces the absorption of nitrate and is effective against some parasites.
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Be aware that some of the same benefits can be achieved using industrialized products and that they have prescriptions for their proper use. In addition, some plants and fish species don’t tolerate salt, so it should be used with care. In other words, salt is a double-edged sword.
When Should I Use Salt?
Nitrite poisoning: Adding salt to the water is beneficial in preventing nitrate poisoning in a newly assembled tank. Keep in mind that fish without scales cannot tolerate salt.
Parasites: Many parasites can be treated with salt, particularly in Costiosis infestations.
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When Should I Not Use Salt?
Live plants: If you have plants in your fish tank, avoid using salt. Plants can be damaged with a relatively low salt dose, which is one of the reasons why it’s better to treat sick fish in a hospital aquarium or quarantine, rather than the main one.
Fish without scales: Fish without scales, particularly catfish, are very sensitive to salt. Even a small amount can harm them. Tetras are also salt sensitive animals.
Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t advisable to add salt to your tank continuously, unless the fish requires brackish water conditions.
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Salt Type And Amount
Common table salt and coarse salt are the most suitable; however, it must not be iodized and cannot contain additives.
The recommended amount is 1 tablespoon salt for every 40 liters, that is, make the correct calculation for the liters amount in your tank, always remembering to perform the procedure for fish that have some type of disease and in a hospital aquarium.
Performing The Treatment
When treating parasites, a short dip in brackish water is the best method. Put the recommended salt amount in a clean bucket, then slowly add the water amount, stirring it so that the salt is dissolved.
Add the fish and leave it in the bucket for five to thirty minutes. Keep a close eye on the fish, and if stress signs are observed, return it immediately to the original tank. When you notice that the fish has become lethargic and is as if it has anesthetized in the water, you can return it to the fish tank.
Remember, nature took thousands of years to shape the need for each species, don’t just want to be against it and make your fish suffer just because they told you that salt is good for freshwater fish.
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The most important thing is to know how to filter the correct information, so that errors don’t occur, and possibly cause the animal’s death. The animals most recommended for this type of treatment if necessary, are, for example, poecilids (molly, platy and guppy).
Fishkeeping isn’t an exact science, although the chemical and biological aspects on which it’s based are fundamental.
This means that there is a lot of information available on the internet (right and wrong), so it’s up to the reader to search on different places to understand the needs of each species and whether salt treatments can be carried out.
What do you think about the use of salt in a freshwater aquarium? Leave your opinion in the comments!
