Adapting fish?

[sprite42]

Can saltwater fish be adapted to freshwater?

I don't have a saltwater tank, but a long distance friend of mine was telling me last night that she adapted her saltwater fish to freshwater. I laughed at her. Then I got to thinking I might better ask someone who would know before I get down on my knees begging.

I am not sure exactly what fish she keeps, I just thought this might be a little unhealthy for the fish.

Thanks for any replys,

Sprite42

[MonoSebaelover]

No saltwater fish can not be kept in freshwater. SOME can be adapted down to brackish (20 percent salt and 80 percent fresh) but they are never health and live very short lives. The reason for this is it throws off the osmotic balance. See in a saltwater fish, their inner system has lots of freshwater and the water surrounding is full of salts and because of the laws of equilibrium the area of high concentration is always trying to equalize the areas of low concentration. So they will produce a concentrated waste with lots of salt. The reverse is true of freshwater where the fish maintains a high salt content inside the body and the freshwater surrounding it is constantly trying to go into the body to equalize it so they produce a dilute waste mainly of water. So when one puts a saltwater fish in freshwater it screws up the osmotic balance causing the fish not to breath correctly and will die within a short while. And the reverse is true with freshwater fish. Anyway, hope this helps and good luck!

[sprite42]

Thank you. I will let her know. Hopefully, she will correct this.