Treating Koi with Salt - Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery

Treating Koi with Salt

-Salt is an excellent start in regards to controlling most of the common microscopic parasites that can harm koi and goldfish. At the correct dosage it will control Ich, Chilodinella, Costia, and Trichodina.

-It protects fish from poisonous nitrites that accumulate early in the season when filters are not yet mature.

-Salt acts as a general tonic for fish under stress from shipping.

2) What level do you recommend?

-We recommend that you keep levels in your sales tanks between .3 and .5%, which is equal to approximately 3 to 5 pounds per 100 gallon.

3) What kind of salt should I use?

-We use plain rock salt. It can be purchased at any Lowes or Home Depot. Whatever salt you choose to use, be sure it doesn't contain the anti-caking agent Yellow Prussiate of Soda or YPS. It's been found to be harmful to koi and goldfish.

4) How do I measure the salt level?

-Inexpensive salinity meters are available for about $70 to $80. Drop-type test kits are available for much less.

5) If I keep my tanks salted at this level, will the fish have a problem adjusting to the non-salted water in my customers ponds?

-Going from salted water to unsalted water will not be harmful to koi or goldfish.

6) Should I recommend that my customers keep salt in their ponds?

-Healthy ponds with adequate filtration, good water quality, and uncrowded conditions should not need salt on a continual basis. It can be used to treat disease issues, but be aware that it will harm many common pond plants. Salt levels at .1% in the spring would detoxify nitrites that tend to build up as filters are cycling.

7) Are there drawbacks to using salt?

-It will harm many plants commonly used in water gardens.

-It's inadvisable to use salt in combination with Formalin. Formalin mixed water containing more than .1% salt can be harmful to koi and goldfish.

-In pond situations be aware that salt may kill algae, causing a drop in dissolved oxygen from decay of the algae. Be sure circulation is adequate.

-Trapdoor snails cannot tolerate salt.