Home Remedies for Pet Fish

While there are commercial products designed to remedy issues in the aquarium, some home remedies exist as well. Home remedies are capable of having the same effect on an aquarium as their commercial counterparts. Many of the steps that are necessary for curing a sick fish can be taken at home, but home remedies will not always rule out the necessity for commercial remedies.

  1. Salt Baths

    • Apply a salt bath when a fish is suffering from a parasite or nitrite poisoning. Salt baths are particularly useful with Costia infections. Add ½ ounce of salt for each gallon of water. Do not use salt baths for fish that are lacking scales, or in heavily planted aquariums. When performing water changes or topping off an aquarium, do not add more salt as it does not evaporate with the water.

    Temperature Changes

    • Add a few degrees of temperature to your aquarium when a fish is under the weather. This will take some of the stress off the fish, helping to boost their immune system. This tactic is particularly useful for fish with ich and other bacterial infections and viruses. Gradually increase the temperature 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a week for the best effect.

    Baking Soda

    • When water characteristics are playing a part in the sickness of your fish, you can add baking soda in order to add hardness to the water and buffer the pH. Maintain the right pH level in your aquarium for the type of fish that you house, and you will have an easier time of maintaining their health. Try different amounts of baking soda in order to obtain the best results for your wish and the type of water. You may also buffer the water with coral, limestone, dolomite and other calcerous rock forms.

    Peat Extract

    • Use peat extract to lower the pH in your aquarium gently while softening the water at the same time. Purchase peat from a local garden supply store, place some in a nylon stocking and add the tied-off stocking to the filter box in your aquarium or the aquarium itself.