Salt Alternatives for Freshwater

Salt can be used in fresh water tanks for live bearers, gold fish and other scaled fishes. When purchasing fish for your tank, ask the seller if the fish you select can tolerate salt. If you have fish that are not salt-tolerant, but are familiar with how salt can benefit fresh water fish, there are alternatives that can be purchased at most fish supply stores or from your veterinarian that will achieve similar results.

  1. Maintenace Alternatives

    • Because salt can be used for a variety of purposes in fresh water tanks, knowing why the tank is using salt determines the type of salt-alternative options. Fish hobbyists use salt as a basic maintenance additive to reduce the risk of illness and prevent the growth of bacteria. Maintenance additives are typically added during whole and partial water changes, but can be added to a full tank as well. A basic maintenance stress reducer, water buffer or water conditioner are safe maintenance alternatives.

    Treatment Alternatives

    • Another reason fish hobbyists use salt is to treat specific illnesses such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (ich). Ich appears as white dots on the fish and causes lethargy, lack of appetite and antisocial behavior. An alternative to salt for treating ich is to select a synthetic ich treatment from a fish supply store. Salt alternatives for parasite and bacteria are synthetic additives that come in liquid or powder form.

    Salt-Thriving Alternatives

    • Another reason salt may be required is if the breed is known to thrive in salty conditions. While salt is not required for most fresh water fish, farm-raised fish from commercial hatcheries may have a higher salt content for maintenance reasons, thus a fish may feel more comfortable in a slightly salty environments.Marine salts purchased from fish supply stores are free from any dyes, chemicals or additives that may be present in some types of human table salt and can be used in place of a standard aquarium or pure salt additive.

    Considerations

    • Because pure salt is the equivalent of basic or standard aquarium salt, human grade non-iodized table salt can be used in place of aquarium salt. A dosage of less than one tablespoon per five gallons of water is considered safe for Corydora catfish. Salt is also used as an organic tonic to prevent nitrate uptake by the fish.