Epsom Salt

[celaeno]

i have a female rosy barb that either has bloat or dropsy (i think it's dropsy). i dosed with 1 tsp of epsom salt per gallon for 3 days before doing a 100% water change and she's improved somewhat.

was that too high a dose? i read on one website that it should be 1 tsp per gallon and on another website, 1 tsp per 5 gallons. which is the right dose?

also, should i replace some of the salt i take out when i do a water change?

 

[WILDER]

It one teaspoon to a gal.
Yes when you preform a water change just add the correct amount of salt back to water removed.
Water changes get rid of salt when you have finished treating.
http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php

 

[celaeno]

that site says not to replace the salt when i do a water change.

 

[WILDER]

How bloated is the fish still.
If you can issolate I would try a bacterial med.

 

[celaeno]

the barb has just undergone the first maracyn 2 treatment in a 5 gallon.

 

[WILDER]

That fine then.
Not sure how long you can use epson salt to be honest.
Good luck.

 

[celaeno]

she's sort of 'standing' on her head, with her tail up. is this anything to be worried about?

 

[WILDER]

Well it can be a sign of swim bladder but not sure if barbs do that sometimes.
Have you increased aeration.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.flippersandfins.net/SwimbladderDisease.htm

 

[Tolak]

I've always started with one teaspoon per 10 gallons, increasing by a teaspoon daily to 3 teaspoons per 10 gallons. This has worked well with angels.

that site says not to replace the salt when i do a water change.

Well, if you are medicating with an antibiotic along with the epsom, and doing daily water changes, you will have taken the epsom out of the water in a few days. With most any antibiotic I suggest a 50% water change daily & remed. Continue treatment for 10-14 days.

Any site can say anything they want, I could switch the pic of my house to say one cup of epsom salt per gallon, it doesn't mean it is a good idea. http/tolak.net/