Aquarium Salt Betta

Yes! This will be for epsom salt though, since aquarium salt is generally added straight to the aquarium at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons.

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It is NOT the same thing as aquarium salt, which is sodium chloride. Therefore it does NOT have the same effects! Aquarium salt is most effective when treating external parasites and sometimes open wounds or infections like fin rot or ulcers. However, it makes the water more dense which makes it harder for a fish to process through their body. If a fish is bloated (retaining fluid) they are already having trouble letting water pass through their body. Adding aquarium salt will make this worse. Epsom salt, on the other hand, draws fluid out of a bloated fish! It is also a laxative and helps them to defecate.

Step 1

Gather your tools. You’ll need

• A 1 gallon container (this will be your soaking bin)
• Measuring spoons
• A timer
• Fish net

Fill the container with 1 gallon of clean treated (water conditioner) water. Measure out 1 tablespoon of epsom salt and add it to the soaking bin. Stir well, until all the salt has dissolved. Ensure the water is not cold.

Scoop the fish out of the existing tank and put them into the soaking bin. Set the timer for 15 minutes. I would stay with the fish the whole time, to make sure he/she doesn’t jump out and that they are breathing correctly. If at any time they stop breathing put them into their normal water IMMEDIATELY.

If the fish is severely pineconned at the end of the 15 minutes and the fish looks good you can let them sit an extra 5 minutes.