Using salt for freshwater fish in aquariums and ponds 343 3

Tropical fishing 6 years ago 7,822 views

Dr Loh discusses the use of salt in a freshwater pond and aquarium. We describe which salts are safe to use, when and how to use salt to treat freshwater fishes* (*read note below). *IMPORTANT NOTE: some aquatic species are very sensitive to salt and can be harmed or even killed by the use of salt, so you must always research the specific species you are keeping before you decide to add salt in your aquatic system. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this channel and by Dr Loh are created for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional Veterinary advice, diagnosis and treatment. If you have a question or concern about your own fish, please consult a local Veterinarian or professional to address your needs or concerns, or for advice on specific treatments for your aquatic pets. The Fish Doctor Channel does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, medical treatments, pharmaceuticals, brand names, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation. Names are for the information and education of the viewing public, and the mention of any of the above on the channel does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The Fish Doctor channel or Dr Loh.

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Most popular comments
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Amanda G - 6 years ago

this is the best explanation ive found! thanks!

Tiger Barbs - 6 years ago

I appreciated the explanation and have always wondered on when and how much to use. I will have to re-calculate for amount per gallon but I can figure that out. The problem that I see with using Salt Baths is that the stress of trying to catch the fish and put them into the bath and then returning them to the aquarium can likely be much more stressful for the fish than for the benefits of the salt bath itself. Most of the time, the fish don't wish to be caught and with the type of fish that I have, they would rather jump out of the tank long before jumping into a net. However, I am thinking that if the fish were first put into a quarantine tank, perhaps that would make it all easier. Again, however, that's added stress. Thanks for the explanation too of the types of salts NOT to use. That's good to know. I am subscribed and look forward to the next video presentation. -- Michael

Akshaya Satapathy - 6 years ago

Plzzzzzzzzzz... Help......my arowana is so stressed all the time... I don't know what to do...
If anyone will go in front of aquarium or near to aquarium he is just getting mad and scared.. don't know what to doooo...plz reply

AL Lan - 6 years ago

Not suitable for my aquarium/pond needs for now, but solid info. Looking forward to more information.

Gioacchino Galizia - 6 years ago

Hello dr. Loh, I watch all your videos, they are very interesting.
I do not understand how long I can keep a fish that tolerates salt at a concentration of 5 grams per liter for improving his immune response.
Thanks a lot to you and to all how like to help me.

Gioacchino Galizia - 6 years ago

The Fish Doctor thank you Dr. Loh, thanks for answering.
We are talking about sodium chloride.
How much time I could keep a fish in these conditions (5 grams per liter)?
I understand for some external parasites I could do a short bath (up to five mins) with 20/25 grams per liter.
I am Italian and I’m practicing with English.
Thanks again.

The Fish Doctor - 6 years ago

Gioacchino Galizia it helps conserve energy, and divert energy towards its immune response and repair.

Salvador Velasquez - 6 years ago

Very important stuff, thank you for your time and video.

Dee From Brooklyn - 6 years ago

Great information. I would also mention that salt greatly alters the waters ph which can result in long term ph shock of fish are subjected to salt dips long term suddenly

Gaurav Dudi - 6 years ago

10. comment for Using salt for freshwater fish in aquariums and ponds

Cheryl Clemenson - 6 years ago

What an awesome channel! I don’t know how you ended up on my recommended list but I like your video

The Fishy Life ! - 6 years ago

I add 1 tablespoon of epsom per 5 gallons in every water change on African cichlid setups and have always done so for over 5 yrs. Now mostly to keep my fish from getting bloat and giving me a high GH ........ I wonder why everyone has always said add salt for ich if it never does anything???? What about if the fish is all beat up will salt help heal or just burn???

stelthTEN AU - 6 years ago

Thank you. Very informative as always.

Manuel T - 6 years ago

I witch YouTube allow to upload pictures in the comment section! so you can diagnose my fish or give me suggestions

Roberto Abarca - 6 years ago

Awesome! TY!

Veronica V - 6 years ago

Awesome video thank you!

Thomasgolen Golen - 6 years ago

Great video, new subscriber here! What’s up with all the Flowerhorns in the background?

buruburu inu - 6 years ago

Thanks for the video! I always look forward to seeing them so I can learn more tips for my darling fish in case they ever get ill. Thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge to those of us in the hobby with no fish vet anywhere near them.

American Aquarium - 6 years ago

Great info. Any opinion about dosing other electrolyte salts?

UBOYAGAMAY - 6 years ago

Hello, my Betta fish had fin rot for a while and I have tried using aquarium salt and as it got worse I switched to bettafix and have been using that for nearly 4-5 months and have seen no improvement. Since 1.5 months ago the tail that was effected has completely rotted away and has proceeded onto the base of the swim bladder. He has been slowly losing blood and is very pale and stays on the top of his tank on a side. I recently read in a site to give fish like these a product called Stresscoat and was wondering if it will actually work for his condition. He is nearly 6 years old so I'm not sure if it's because of old age.

UBOYAGAMAY - 6 years ago

The Fishy Life ! Oh I never knew that. I read online that they live to 10 years so I thought he was still too young to die. The problem is we don't have a fish vets in my area. I really have no idea how I'd put him down anyways since he is quite dear to me.

The Fishy Life ! - 6 years ago

Considering the life expectancy of a betta is 1-2yrs he's probably broken the world record for longest living betta! I would try API general cure being it's a actual medicine unlike bettafix and stress coat which are just remedys or I would seriously consider putting the old man down (if he is suffering)

pOpoY - 6 years ago

UBOYAGAMAY almost 6 years old?

20. comment for Using salt for freshwater fish in aquariums and ponds

Cae Walker - 6 years ago

Thank you for putting the dosage rates in the video.

Aquarium Sunshine's Valley - 6 years ago

commercial aquarium seasalt also contains anti-cacking agents...

zeon dsouza - 6 years ago

Sir can i put coral sand in my flowerhorn tank

The HolyWafflePowder - 6 years ago

I just want to say I really appreciate your work man- both the channel itself and the pets you help along the way

meimei chen - 6 years ago

I helped my baby kois because they had bruises so I gave 1 tsp disolved with water. And had them soak in it for a little bit. They are healed

H.C. Aqua - 6 years ago

This is the clearest explanation I have seen. Thanks for the information.

SuperGarbonzo - 6 years ago

Thank You Dr Loh

Rainy Perez - 6 years ago

I have Epson salt with lavander is that good to use on my Betas?

The Fish Doctor - 6 years ago

Rainy Perez I would not use anything with additives.

Rainy Perez - 6 years ago

Buttered Thanks for the tip. No, I won't use that kinda Epson salts on my babies.

Buttered - 6 years ago

No, the scented shit will kill them. epson salt would only need to be used if a fish is backed up and then it HAS to be pure epson salt

Phoenix - 6 years ago

Perfect, thank you very much for this information! I didn't even know there were a difference between the 2 types of salt, what is aquarium salt usually classified as?

I was also wondering, what are some signs of DGIV for my Dwarf Gourami? Thank you!

KG cichlids - 6 years ago

Very good guide in using salt!

30. comment for Using salt for freshwater fish in aquariums and ponds

Badandy538 - 6 years ago

Interesting I thought the epsom salt was used to reduce osmoregulatory stress. For example in the case of dropsy what I've been told is to use epsom salt and not sodium chloride.

Badandy538 - 6 years ago

thank you, will take a look.

graphicsforever2 - 6 years ago

Doc knows the correct salt and how much to use. There is so much misinformation on the internet and among fish hobbyist who think they know because they are just going by what someone told them without asking a vet or looking in the medical books to reference it. I always reference by using the MERCK Veterinary Manual Book which is available to the public. It has reference to fish symptoms, fish meds and how much to dose. There is a whole page on the salt and fish subject and explains which salt to use and when to use it.

Shelley G. - 6 years ago

Wonderful , thank you

Emilo MTV - 6 years ago

Wow

sumair ali - 6 years ago

My fish r dying with parasites long hairs like on their hole body and theirs mouth r looking chocolate colour all r koi

sumair ali - 6 years ago

graphicsforever2 thank you can you tell me about any medicine for this

graphicsforever2 - 6 years ago

Sumair Ali look up "Anchor Worms” and look for pictures to see if thats it. Hairy could be fungus too. look for pictures to help confirm what it is then look for treatments right away! ask a vet to help too.

sumair ali - 6 years ago

M first