I had every intention of purchasing 2 dwarf gouramis today. Then the aquarium salt issue arose. I am trying to be a responsible fishkeeper. Some people/websites say you must add salt. Some say never add salt (unless for ich?) I don't understand. I 'm sure that you shouldn't take a fish from a 'salt dosed tank' and put it into a non 'dosed' tank. I'm obviously not a biologist or other type of scientist. But I am still sure. So, do I need to add salt? Don't ever add salt? skip the store completely and spend money somewhere else? I am looking forward to an opinion from someone not trying to get more of my money and knows something about the subject( same tall now cycled((ammonia-0 nitrite-0 nitrate-12ish)) with some very lucky red minnows
Salt? Dwarf Gouramis? Confused
- Thread starter boilermakertom
- Start date
I don't have a ton of experience, but I've had a dwarf gourami for 3 weeks now in a completely salt free tank and he seems to be doing great. When I started i kept salt in my tank based on advice from my LFS, but after reading some things (mostly here) I didn't find any compelling argument for regularly using salt in a freshwater tank.
I guess the idea behind adding salt is to help prevent the occurrence of protozoan infections like ich, and to help with ion balance. But, I'm not really convinced. Petco uses salt in every tank, and I still see ich. And ion balance shouldn't be an issue in most water. So, don't worry about it. You CAN add salt, if you want to. I doubt it can do any harm. It just probably doesn't do any good either. For the record, I also only use salt for treatment.
I have to agree with the save your money on the salt unless you are having issues with ich, I know one of the major thoughts is that aquarium salt adds electrolytes to the water and helps the fish adjust. However, if you acclimate the fish with adding of tank water to their temp home (usually the bag) acclimation isn't that big of a deal.
On a side note, if getting more than one dwarf gourami, make sure the second is a female, two males will kill each other
Ohh On another note, love the user name BOILER UP!!
On a side note, if getting more than one dwarf gourami, make sure the second is a female, two males will kill each other
Ohh On another note, love the user name BOILER UP!!
My shot in the dark on this salt or no salt issue specific to dwarf gourami. Dwarf gourami like temps from 76-84 I believe. Whatever it is exactly doesn't matter what matters is they like temps a tad bit higher then most community fish. Fish usually get sick easy when they aren't in there ideal conditions. So if you keep dwarf gourami in a community tank at a colder temp then they like they are suseptable so the salt helps prevent it? I keep my tank at 76-77 so it keeps everyone for the most part happy.
I only use salt for treatments and own 2 sparkling gourami that have been healthy almost a year now and even spawned for me 3 times so salt isn't required to make them happy that's for sure. But they do like higher temps, they usually spawn in the warmer months when I can't keep the tank water below 80.
I only use salt for treatments and own 2 sparkling gourami that have been healthy almost a year now and even spawned for me 3 times so salt isn't required to make them happy that's for sure. But they do like higher temps, they usually spawn in the warmer months when I can't keep the tank water below 80.
My 2 gourami, each in a separate tank, are doing fine and I don't use salt unless for treatment or with my mollies.
The argument for adding salt usually has to do with improving osmotic regulation, but:
a) the amounts required to properly assist are minute
b) you have to really know what you're doing and be able to carefully manage the salt levels
It's not necessary and it's not worth the headache. My dwarf gouramis are healthy and spawn regularly with no salt at all.
I would recommend that you put floating plants in for them though, as it tends to make them feel a lot more comfortable.
a) the amounts required to properly assist are minute
b) you have to really know what you're doing and be able to carefully manage the salt levels
It's not necessary and it's not worth the headache. My dwarf gouramis are healthy and spawn regularly with no salt at all.
I would recommend that you put floating plants in for them though, as it tends to make them feel a lot more comfortable.