Is salt Ok for these fish?

shaunnadavies

shaunnadavies

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Sep 4, 2009
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I just returned a Catfish that I bought 4 days ago because it broke out in Ick. In my tank now, I have 2 angelfish, an albino red tailed shark, a rainbow cichlid, a bumblebee catfish, a rosey neon barb, 3 rummy nose tetras, and 3 light up tetras. These fish aren't showing signs of Ick *YET*, but I know that chances are they will as it is likely in my tank now. My question is...should I put in some Aquarium salt as a preventative measure? Or should I just sit back and wait to see if any other fish break out in Ick. Is Aquarium salt safe for all of the fish that I just mentioned? I've been researching on my own, but I'm finding such conflicting info on all of this. Most importantly, if I DO use salt...how much should I put in for a 40 gallon tank? I'm reading everywhere from 1 tbsp per 5 gallons to 3 tsp per gallon. That's a broad range!

Thanks for your help.
 
I don't know the answer but will bump the thread so hopefully you can get some!
 
A tsp per gal won't hurt the fish you have, but I'd be cautious about any more with the Catfish. A wiser course of action might be to raise the temp to 86 F. This will speed up the life cycle of the parasite. If you keep the tank warm for a week and nothing breaks out you're probably clear.
 
I agree on the heat. One of the mods posted in an Ich thread, some time back, that at 82 degrees the free swimmers (one stage of the protozoan life cycle) can't attach to the host at that temp and above.

I think at 86 degrees any Ich protozoa won't attach, and any that are already on the fish will speed up, become visible, and after a few days drop off and then succomb to the heat, usually. I encountered a heat resistant Ich once, but that's rare.
 
Ok great! I turned up the heat on the tank to 86 last night, BUT I also added some aquarium salt. I've put in about 4 tablespoons for my 40 gallon tank. Should I do a water change and not add anymore salt?

I appreciate the advice. I know it probably gets annoying for you all to help us newbies out. :1zhelp:
 
A water change is always a good idea! You can safely have 10 tablespoons in the water and that's being conservative to account for gravel and such. The heat should take care of things, so salt is definitely optional.
 
Now the bumblebee catfish has ick too :(

On a positive note, the fish are tolerating the 10 tablespoons of aquarium salt and raised temperature just fine. :thm:
 
A common myth is that catfish, loaches, etc. are sensitive to salt because they are scaless and thus you shouldnt use salt at all or lower the doses. That may be the case but at the concentrations you are using to battle ich it shouldn't be a problem. A "normal" dose of 2 tsp. per gallon doesn't cause issues according to what I have seen from other members.
 
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