Goldfish & Salt
There is widespread debate in the aquarium community about salt and it's uses in a freshwater aquarium. There are three schools of thought; the first is that Goldfish should have some salt in their tank at all times, the second is that salt should only be used when necessary, the third is that salt shouldn’t be used with freshwater fish whatsoever. As you can see, these are totally different ideas, so we’ll look into all aspects of salt dosing and explore the pros and cons of using salt.
What does salt do?
There are two types of salt regularly used in freshwater aquariums, Epsom Salt and Aquarium Salt. Each have different uses and dosage, so it is important that the fish is treated with the correct salt, at the correct dosage if the salt is to work.
Aquarium Salt (Sodium Chloride)
at differing dosages, it is used to kill parasites, prevent infections and acts as a mild irritant which aids production of the slime coat. It can also be used to aid gill function and protect from nitrite poisoning.
0.1% is good for preventing secondary infection when treating fish for parasites, fin rot, slime coat production, minor injuries and protection from Nitrites during the cycle.
0.3% is used to treat parasites (including ich).
0.5% is used as a dip or bath treatment, which are very short term and last 15-30minutes. These are good for treating mild fungus, infections and injuries.
Aquarium salt needn’t be aquarium salt; kosher salt, rock salt and pickling salt is the same thing, just make sure there are no anti caking agents, additives or anything other than sodium chloride. Marine salt is NOT the same thing.
Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate)
is used as a muscle relaxant, which can be used to treat internal issues such as constipation, fluid retention and mild swim bladder disorders.
You can buy it from most pharmacies very cheaply.
Aquarium Salt (Sodium Chloride)
at differing dosages, it is used to kill parasites, prevent infections and acts as a mild irritant which aids production of the slime coat. It can also be used to aid gill function and protect from nitrite poisoning.
0.1% is good for preventing secondary infection when treating fish for parasites, fin rot, slime coat production, minor injuries and protection from Nitrites during the cycle.
0.3% is used to treat parasites (including ich).
0.5% is used as a dip or bath treatment, which are very short term and last 15-30minutes. These are good for treating mild fungus, infections and injuries.
Aquarium salt needn’t be aquarium salt; kosher salt, rock salt and pickling salt is the same thing, just make sure there are no anti caking agents, additives or anything other than sodium chloride. Marine salt is NOT the same thing.
Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate)
is used as a muscle relaxant, which can be used to treat internal issues such as constipation, fluid retention and mild swim bladder disorders.
You can buy it from most pharmacies very cheaply.
Dosage
Aquarium Salt
0.1% = 1 gram per litre or 1 teaspoon per US Gallon.
0.3% = 3 grams per litre or 3 teaspoons per US Gallon.
0.5% = 5 grams per litre or 5 teaspoons per US Gallon.
Raise salinity by 0.1% every 12 hours, dissolve salt before adding it to the aquarium and replace salt you remove during water changes.
Do not add salt when topping off as salt doesn’t evaporate, just water. So the salt is still in the tank. Esure that you hold the salinity to the correct dosage throughout treatment.
If performing a 0.5% salt dip, watch fish closely during the bath. It is normal for fish to act a little off balance, but they should be able to right themselves. Should you be overly concerned, or a nudge doesn’t get them moving, remove the fish and place back into the aquarium or quarantine tank.
Salt is removed via manual water changes. So be sure to get it all out once the treatment is complete by performing lots of water changes.
Remove any Zeolite (or any other media which is recharged by salt) before dosing as the salt will cause it to dump out all the toxins it has retained.
Epsom Salt
¼-½ teaspoon per 10US Gallons/40litres can be used to treat fluid retention, severe float, bloat, egg impaction, constipation, pineconing (Dropsy-with antibiotics).
1 teaspoon per US Gallon can be used as a dip/bath to ease constipation and fluid retention.
0.1% = 1 gram per litre or 1 teaspoon per US Gallon.
0.3% = 3 grams per litre or 3 teaspoons per US Gallon.
0.5% = 5 grams per litre or 5 teaspoons per US Gallon.
Raise salinity by 0.1% every 12 hours, dissolve salt before adding it to the aquarium and replace salt you remove during water changes.
Do not add salt when topping off as salt doesn’t evaporate, just water. So the salt is still in the tank. Esure that you hold the salinity to the correct dosage throughout treatment.
If performing a 0.5% salt dip, watch fish closely during the bath. It is normal for fish to act a little off balance, but they should be able to right themselves. Should you be overly concerned, or a nudge doesn’t get them moving, remove the fish and place back into the aquarium or quarantine tank.
Salt is removed via manual water changes. So be sure to get it all out once the treatment is complete by performing lots of water changes.
Remove any Zeolite (or any other media which is recharged by salt) before dosing as the salt will cause it to dump out all the toxins it has retained.
Epsom Salt
¼-½ teaspoon per 10US Gallons/40litres can be used to treat fluid retention, severe float, bloat, egg impaction, constipation, pineconing (Dropsy-with antibiotics).
1 teaspoon per US Gallon can be used as a dip/bath to ease constipation and fluid retention.
Cons
Aquarium Salt
☆ Parasites can build up a salt tolerance if salt is used full term, some say that it prevents them from occurring in the first place.
☆ long term use can result in overproduction of the slime coat.
☆ Invertebrates and scaleless fish are very sensitive to salt, so check your the tolerance of all tank inhabitants before dosing.
☆ Most plants are intolerant of salt.
☆ Any level of salinity is potentially stressful for the fish.
Epsom Salt
☆ Potential to cause anaemia if used long term.
☆ Most plants are intolerant to salt.
☆ Any salt is potentially stressful for the fish.
☆ Parasites can build up a salt tolerance if salt is used full term, some say that it prevents them from occurring in the first place.
☆ long term use can result in overproduction of the slime coat.
☆ Invertebrates and scaleless fish are very sensitive to salt, so check your the tolerance of all tank inhabitants before dosing.
☆ Most plants are intolerant of salt.
☆ Any level of salinity is potentially stressful for the fish.
Epsom Salt
☆ Potential to cause anaemia if used long term.
☆ Most plants are intolerant to salt.
☆ Any salt is potentially stressful for the fish.