"slime coat" products

[DrgRcr]

I'm on the fence about these, but leaning towards marketing gimmick also. I don't see the need for use other than as something to remove harmful substances(chlorine, ammonia,etc.) in the water. I don't use any conditioners in mine. The way I understand it, is that the fish produce their own slime coat. If they didn't, everytime there was something questionable in the water(parasite,etc.) they'd have no defense against it and be ill. So why would we be trying to "enhance" something that's already there? And the last people I'd be inclined to ask are the manufacturers themselves. They are in business to make money, so I'm sure they have some "study" that says you need it. Just my .02

 

[SubRosa]

I have good contacts at API and I asked one of them this same question a few years back His answer was that they don't stimulate the fishes' own slime production but basically coat the fish The down side that he mentioned was that the products coat the whole fish, including the gills and can reduce oxygen absorbtion. I never use them unless a customer requests a squirt in the bag. Ime it's not even worth the time to try to talk someone out of it who thinks it's necessary.