Can salt clear the gills of mucus which builds up when fish suffer from parasites or poisoning?
Yes. According to fish vet Chris Walster, at lower dosages salt can clear the gills of excess mucus. However, he suspects it may act as an irritant at higher doses: “It could promote mucus production, causing the excess to slough off. This effect probably would be short-term (stress to fish, depletion of mucus cells), and the benefits need to be considered against the disadvantages. “As such I might use it in an emergency as a one-off treatment where the fish is suffering respiratory distress and no other alternatives were available.” Tetra’s Rupert Bridges spoke to their research and development scientists. He told us: “They suggest that adding salt increases the production of mucus, and therefore speeds the renewal of the mucus layer. The effect is therefore due to a higher turnover of mucus, which helps rid the gills of parasites, etc.
