The Salty Cichlid

[N8DOGG]

Do cichlids benefit from salt? Do other FW fish also benefit? If so how much? 1 sp per gal?

Never used it but will if it is a benefit

N8

[JSchmidt]

There are lots of different kinds of cichlids...

African Rift Lake Cichlids (Malawis, Victorians, Tangs) don't need salt. You often will see "cichlid salts" sold for treating the water for these fish, but the salts are not what we normally consider salt -- sodium chloride. Cichlid salts generally contain salts of magnesium and calcium to harden the water.

Don't know about New World cichlids, but I suspect most of them don't need salt, either.

Jim

[Cearbhaill]

August 2004 issue of FAMA has an article entitled "Salty Cichlids" and includes all sorts of interesting info on how salinity affects the metabolism of various species of cichlids.

[N8DOGG]

Thanks for the info I'll have to check out that article. I keep New World or I think they are. But I was just sitting at work board so I though I would ask.

But treating ick with salt and heat won't hurt then? at least for a short time

Tanks for the info and article I'll try to look it up when I get home/

N8

[daveedka]

But treating ick with salt and heat won't hurt then? at least for a short time

As for treating ich with salt and heat, It worked better with my SA cichlids than any other method I've used. Aside from that the fish need no salt, and are generally happier without it. here is an article on both subjects:
Salt (http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/salt.shtml)
ICH (http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml)

I have found both of these articles to be very accurate and helpful.

[RTR]

The only Cichlids I am aware of that need salt are the Chromides - and that is marine mix, not just sodium chloride either.

Rift lake do well in harder alkaline water (but Lake Malawi has only traces of NaCl), as do many Central Americans.

[Tightdog1]

any time you raise the temp of the tank it will affect the fish, jsut sometimes you wont see it on the surface, adding salt supposedly is a good thinjg to an extent or so i have heard. but i dont lknow how much is good.