Sail Fin Pleco With Salt In The Tank?

Jackiee · Feb 17, 2011

I'm about to go get a 6 inch long sail fin pleco from someone getting rid of him for free.

I have some aquarium salt added into my tank though..
It's dosed with 1 rounded tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.

Will it hurt the fish? Should I do a water change before adding the fish?

lilfishie · Feb 17, 2011

i believe catfish/plecos/loaches cannot tolerate salt as they are scaleless? someone correct me if am wrong :unsure:

raptorrex · Feb 17, 2011

Jackiee said:
I'm about to go get a 6 inch long sail fin pleco from someone getting rid of him for free.

I have some aquarium salt added into my tank though..
It's dosed with 1 rounded tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.

Will it hurt the fish? Should I do a water change before adding the fish?

one comment and one question.
comment, yes it will harm your pleco.
question, what are you treating the tank for?

Jackiee · Feb 17, 2011

My parrot fish recovered from an infection recently, I was using it just in case as a back up to keep her healthier and stress free.
and I just haven't changed the water to take the salt out yet.

Will it hurt the pleco if it's in the water with some salt for short term?
If I did a water change later tonight when I have time?

lilfishie · Feb 17, 2011

yes it will harm the pleco

AstonN24vantage · Feb 17, 2011

if the parrot has an infection, wouldnt it be a good idea to hold off anyway? im sure you could get away with it, but you MUST MUST MUST change some water.

Jackiee · Feb 17, 2011

Okay, I wasn't sure.. because I tried google'ing it and I seen some people say no, but also seen a forum of a lot of people saying if it was just for a short time such as disease treatment it was fine, but no long term use of salt.

raptorrex · Feb 17, 2011

Jackiee said:
My parrot fish recovered from an infection recently, I was using it just in case as a back up to keep her healthier and stress free.
and I just haven't changed the water to take the salt out yet.

Will it hurt the pleco if it's in the water with some salt for short term?
If I did a water change later tonight when I have time?

I wouldn't recommend it. i would suggest two 80-90% water changes, in rapid succession, before you put it in. however, that's me, not law.

Jackiee · Feb 17, 2011

The only reason I'm even considering it is because the parrot has completely cleared up and is acting her old self again.
It's been about a week since she's been off antibiotics and she's doing fine.

Can I change the water after I add the pleco? It wouldn't be an invasive water change because I wouldn't want to stress him (ex: stirring the gravel up, moving plants)