What is goldfish salt and should I use it?
Goldfish salt is simply aquarium salt labeled especially for goldfish. In general, goldfish do not need salt in the water. Salt may be added as a one-time dosage at the rate on of one teaspoon for every ten gallons of water when in the nitrite phase of cycling, to reduce nitrite’s toxic effects. Nitrite toxicity blocks normal oxygen uptake at the gills by forming methemoglobin. Salt (sodium chloride) is beneficial because its’ chloride ions compete with nitrite for transportation across the fish’s gills, and so, lessens the nitrite’s bad effects. Salt is not a proper substitution for the treatment of such diseases as Ich, since there are safe and reliable medications that can be used. There are varying opinions on the use of salt as a preventative. To date, there is no scientific proof of its’ value with the exception of a 1999 study by Dr. Altinok and Dr. Grizzle from the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures at Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama. This study showed that n
