Can I use salt with these fish

[flash]

Hi,

Can I use salt in my tank as a part of medication with barbs, rams, bristlenose and a blue crayfish? If so how much, tank is 70 litres.

Thanks

 

[sylvia]

I don't know about the crayfish but your bristlenose wouldn't like it at all. Your other fish would be ok.

 

[flash]

Thanks have to use just the mediaction potions available then.

 

[freddyk]

Bristlenose CAN handle salt without a problem. This is one reason why African cichlid keepers almost always use these fish in their tanks. Cheers.

 

[sylvia]

Oh yeah... I always wondered how they could be kept with cichlids What about other plecos though? They can't can they? I've never had to treat a pleco with salt myself... I've just always been told you can't use salt with them. What about that crayfish though?

 

[flash]

i'm reasonable sure the crayfish would be ok, they're tough little fellas. Will do more research to make sure.

How much salt should I use at a time? And how often can I treat them?

Thanks

 

[Bryan]

I've always thought that a little sea salt was good for all freshwater fish, please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[freddyk]

A little salt won't harm them, but as to whether it's 'good' is still under debate. I never noticed a difference with or without, so I'm not going to start messing with the water myself.

Flash, about a tsp every 5 gallons. Introduce it gradually. Never add more except for the water that you change, and remember that the salt doesn't evaporate with the water.

 

[daddyo72]

Salt wont harm them, I've used it with every water change.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Salt isn't necessary for a cichlid tank so I don't see why that would make any difference.

There's no need to addsalt with fish, the vast majority come from areas with no/immeasureable salt and so it's not natural. It can be good for when treating but it's certainly not something I would be doing constantly.

Catfish (including plecs, cories and so on) and loaches cannot ave salt, it can burn their skin (especially clown loaches) and it also damages them internally over time.

What are you treating for? And the dose is 1 rounded tablespoon for every 19litres incidently.

 

[Danno]

I herd that only scaled fish like salt but thier might be the possable (and most likely) exeption.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I herd that only scaled fish like salt but thier might be the possable (and most likely) exeption.

That's true (clown loaches are scaleless as far as I am aware) but fish don't really like salt for the most part as it's not natural for the majority of them.

 

[flash]

THanks guys. I was treating for a sick fish with really bad fungus and fin rot but the lobster decided to eat him over night!

The others appear fine but i'll keep my eye on the Rams, maybe add a little salt.

 

[Phantom Thief]

I would be very careful if i were you. The crayfish will sooner or later wipe out the other residents if it gets big enough.

P.T.