Guppies

[elmo]

Do Guppies need Slightly Salted water? We are thinking of getting some and we have read and been told two separate things about them. Can anybody help us?

 

[Grey Legion]

I have read many debates over this to salt or not to salt ??

I have heard good things on both sides...so try them in FW if you like also ask you LFS if they add salt to there tanks..

I have guppies and no salt and all is well...

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

No guppys don't need salt or at least mine don't and they still thrive and i've been keeping them for years now. Unless you have brackish fish salt is only recommended been added to the tank as a med but certainly not if you have any catfish/scaless fish in the tank.

 

[guppymonkey]

Guppies don't NEED salt in their water but it really helps them. Most guppies in pet stores are in amazingly poor health. Adding salt to their water helps them immensely. It brightens their colors and helps keep their fins from becoming ragged. I wouldn't suggest it if you want to keep loachs or corydoras catfish though, they will probably die if salt is added. But if its just livebearers then salt is a definate bonus for the tank (and its a cheap medication most ick or fungus treatments use salt as their main ingredient).

 

[jflowers]

For all i know... NO! Guppies don't need slightly salted water. But they might be like kribensis and be able to live in slightly salted and tropical freshwater.

 

[Gimli]

Sorry. That was me not my dad.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

guppies, like most livebearers, will benefit from mild amounts of salt in the water. but they won't suffer without it, either. if you only have guppies, add a small amount of salt to each water change. if you have guppies and cories, loaches, plecos, etc... don't add salt.

if you aren't sure about a species salt tolerance, its best to not add any except possibly a medical treatment.

 

[Elise]

I always add salt to my guppy tank for preventative measures against illness. It says how much to add on the aquarium salt carton. It's worked well for me.

 

[OrkyBetta]

I have a question regarding this. I plan on getting guppies and putting them with the neons. Could neons handle a little salt or should I leave it out?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

leave the salt out for the neons.

 

[Annastasia]

Yeah, I have to agree. The Neons won't like the salt much, so I would leave it out.

 

[newland]

I've added a little salt to my tank that has guppies and they even gave birth to new fish

I would say its ok to add but if it aint broke don't fix it.
Salts MEANT to be good to keep the fish helthy. But if your fish seam healthy why run the risk of doing it.

I agree with the neon thing as i believe it can kill neons.

Also its a valid point that aquerium salt is exactually the same as dishwasher salt.
Except dishwasher salt is far cheeper.