There isn't any evidence that aquarium salt reduces stress and I don't see how it possibly would. I'm curious as to if any other members who ship add salt to the bags before shipping...
Ammonia burn
- Thread starter vmahaffe
- Start date
I would only add salt if the fish were having respiratory problems upon arrival. I've received discus in the past with bad ammonia burns and lots of clean water and they healed just fine.
Ok, let me put it this way then. Salt will aid in osmoregulatory stress, which depending on who you ask, fish still are going through some level of this stress days after they have been shipped (prolonged handling stress/acclimation). The same principle is true when shipping fish. Adding in salt to the shipping water is proven to aid in osmoregulatory stress. The addition of salt will let them not have to spend as much energy to maintain their internal "water balance". Fish that have been shipped in a .1-.3% salt water solution arrive in better condition than those that were not. Adding salt the to tank at the same .1-.3% solution will also enhance the slime coat production on the fish which will aid in the healing of the fins and prevention of minor parasites/fungus. Which by default can aid in the healing of ammonia burnt fins.
-Ryan
I think the salt could be a useful precaution as it certainly does stimulate slime coat production/repair. The osmoregulation point is new to me and very interesting.
As already said adding salt can assist in case of nitrite poisoning as it alleviates the effect of the nitrite (prevents metabolism of oxygen as I loosely sort of understand it).
As already said adding salt can assist in case of nitrite poisoning as it alleviates the effect of the nitrite (prevents metabolism of oxygen as I loosely sort of understand it).
Thank You Ryan!!!!!!!
We have been Breeding Angels for over 12 years now and Discus for around 4 to 5 months and we ship a huge quantities of our fish all over the US. I learned the salt trick from one of the local Marine Biology Professors at one of the prestigious collages in our area, we have been fortunate to have the help of someone like this to turn to when we hit a brick wall.
We also add .2% salt to all our systems . We ship our fish out in triple 4mil bags and sometimes add a 4 mil sleeve when shipping anything over 5" .
You must also be aware not to fill the bags tight with O2 , when the package reaches high altitudes during flight it causes the gas to expand and pop goes your bag. (I learned this the hard way)
You are so right when you pointed out the leaky bag as the ammonia culprit. The little pill that the person added way most likely a bag buddy and while we also add bag buddy's this can be a recipe for disaster depending on how much water is added to the bag.
While Kordon's are great for small fish and plants the are not suitable for Larger fish like Angels and Discus, they will pop a hole in the bag with their sharp fins . Salt does work!!!!
The leaky bag lets the Co2/O2 out of the bag and will let the pH of the water come back up to its normal levels. Well, when the pH is above ~7.0 the ammonia changes from relatively harmless ammonium, to deadly ammonia (ionized to unionized). Prolonged exposure to levels of ammonia will damage not only fins and gills, but also internal organs.....this is why fish die a few days after being shipped sometimes. Their internal organs have been damaged and they just die from organ failure. All the more reason to use double/triple bag the fish and ship in water with a natural pH at or below 7.
Another alternative to using bag buddies when shipping is a salt and acriflavine mix. Mild antibacterial action, and in those instances we all hate where fish are delayed and left in the bag for too long (or a leaky/busted bag), it can help prevent issues after they are in your tank. A lot of the commercial fish farmers/importers here in Tampa use this method and it seems to work fairly well.
-Ryan
coolness i just believe in kordons and honestly if i am going to buy fish from someone a kordon will be the deal breaker so to say but i do understand what you are saying with bigger fish, yes i do believe in salt as well but not in transport which i have never heard of before and no i am not saying you or your professor are wrong its a new light shed apon me which i would have to research further but again i wouldnt buy full size fish to be placed thru the vigors of transport with high prices, cool deal on the information and these are just my opinions take care.
