Quote from website: 'Salt is like Gatorade for fish'

Blinky

Blinky

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It seems LFS employees' advice even gets posted online! I was responding to another post on pacu and wanted to make sure I had my facts straight. I did a Google search, and found a few interesting pages. One site (Link) had this to say, which I found strange:

"Salt is like gatorade to a fresh water fish.
A Petsmart worker explained that the correct amount of salt is provides necessary electrolytes to a fish. They are able to breathe better because of the effect of the salt on the gills. Too much salt can make a fish ill and kill it. For Pacu about 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons does fine. Be sure to account for evaporation. As the water evaporates the salt content rises."

I love that they compare the effects of salt to those of a sports drink, and then go on to say that it enhances breathing. I understand they mean well, but this seems misguided to me.
 
I've seen more than one site say this. I recently read a betta site recomend that you use salt all the time to help prevent illness. Salt seems to be an all porpose problem fixer to a lot of people, I really dont know how much of it is true. Using it as a tonic right now on some new fish myself. Didn't want to put them right into medicated water.
 
Yes. Salt is the all-purpose fixer-upper. Ask anyone for the science behind it and the talk gets rather muddled. And why is that? Because freshwater fish need very little salinity. We're talking about trace amounts, like the kind you can find in your tap water. I've no idea why so many people say to add salt when treating fish for X or Y. It's really not a smart thing to do, as salt is a stressor for fish. So, by saying, "Treat your fish with this med and add salt," people are really saying that doubly stressing a fish is good. Salt is not a magical healer. It should only be used in specific situations to help cure certain problems, not added to tanks at all times like some magic potion that makes fish healthier. If people want more than one opinion with deeper looks into salt usage in freshwater tanks that are not muddles but rather speak plainly and give support for this stance (which I've yet to see for salt, just hocus pocus like the line Blinky pointed to "gatorade for fish") Follow these: One by RTR, One about livebearers and Mollies in particular, The Skeptical Aquarist's take on electrolytes which concludes with this line, "When you are offered the chance to buy concentrated electrolytes in a bottle, remember, the Skeptical Aquarist says "the cheapest source of electrolytes usually is a splash of your own hard tapwater." Finally, one more link to the Skeptical Aquarist to a thorough look at salt in home aquaria. I get so angry when people convince new aquarists of the old myths. It's like the resistance to fishless cycling we see in the LFSs around the world. If it's not how they were taught, then it must be wrong, no matter that the science behind it is sound. And so, the myth perpetuates, people new to the hobby pick up outdated or plainly dangerous habits and the cycle continues. So, here's my plea: educate yourselves.
 
Good post, Harlock! Strongly agree.

Edit: I just cannot resist responding directly to the Gatorade bit. We need replacement electrolytes because we sweat and excrete electrolytes in our sweat. News flash: Fish do not sweat.
 
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i have a 10 gal with 3 platies, 3 swordtails, 2 guppies, and 3 glolight tetras, can i add salt? oh and what kind o salt :o
 
mr.amateur45 said:
i have a 10 gal with 3 platies, 3 swordtails, 2 guppies, and 3 glolight tetras, can i add salt? oh and what kind o salt :o
Click to expand...
why would you want to add salt?? Also your going to be overstocked when those are full grown which would be soon.

oh and fish do to sweat why do you think they are always wet!!! :soda:
 
RTR said:
Good post, Harlock! Strongly agree.

Edit: I just cannot resist responding directly to the Gatorade bit. We need replacement electrolytes because we sweat and excrete electrolytes in our sweat. News flash: Fish do not sweat.
Click to expand...
Fish dont sweat?? wow.. I never knew that.. :rolleyes:

LOL I also agree, it was a very good post Harlock. People tend to also equate live bearers to needing salt?? When in all actuality they need the hardness instead of the salinity.

And also, when I do give my fish salt, its usually before placing them into the Oven.
 
Fish + Salt = Gatorade refreshment
Aknif + Salt = Margarita refreshment!

:D
 
Umm electrolytes are if you drink the water, and I don't think fish drink the water...

And not only that, aren't electrolytes sugars?
 
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