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How to Use Salt
Salt is the most important medicine.
Salt is an effective cure for many KOI ailments. However, it can't actually be said to be a medicine.
When salt is put into the pond, it is best to increase its concentration gradually.
We suggest a first dosage of 0.5% with a second dose added on the second day to bring the concentration to 1.0%.
Leave the sick KOI in this concentration for one week.
At that time, the condition of the KOI should be assessed paying particular attention to the swimming characteristics of the KOI.
If the condition is not improved, place the KOI in a 2.0% salt bath for 30 minutes.
Watch the KOI carefully throughout the duration of the treatment and return the KOI to the pond immediately if it shows significant signs of stress.
In any event, do not leave the KOI in the 2.0% salt bath for more than 30 minutes.
A 2.0% salt bath is an effective cure for Costia and Chondrococcus columnarisa and Flexibacter columnaris (Berget's Mannual of Deteminative Baterology, 8th ed. 1974).
If the KOI's symptoms are sever, antibiotics should be given.
Precautions:
1. Don't use malachite green and salt at the same time as it becomes ineffective and may even have negative results.
We suggest using salt and malachite green separately.
2. Be careful to keep fish containers covered when using salt treatments.
KOI are prone to jumping during the treatments. We suggest using a good net over the tank or container.
3. Never walk away from a KOI being given a heavy salt treatment, i.e., salt concentrations over 1.0%.
Remove the KOI from the treatment and return it to the pond at the first signs of significant stress.
4. Be sure to keep the water well aerated during the salt treatment.
5. Avoid bright sunlight during the treatment.
Salt (non iodized)
Ben Plonski Laguna Koi Ponds
Ordinary sodium chloride is probably the oldest fish medicine known to man. Salt can be very helpful for treating parasites; however, it is not a cure all. Most fish have an internal salt concenration of 1.0%. Tap water typically has close to 0.1% salt concentration. An osmotic gradient exists between the fish and the water that surrounds it. Through the process of diffusion the fish will lose salt and gain fresh water. In order to maintain proper cellular functions, freshwater fish must constanly replace these lost salts and expel excess fresh water. This is called osmoregulation and requires an engery expenditure. When salt is added to the pond the koi actually spend less energy osmoregulating. This saved energy may be saved for fighting disease. The osmotic balance of some parasites is upset by salt concentrations as low as .3% to .5%. Basically the parasite's cell dehydrates. This gives the koi a fighting chance.
Stronger salt baths of 2.5% for 10 minutes, can quickly rid a fish of many parasites and bacteria or fungus. However, when the fish goes back into the pond, it may still be in a weakened condition and might fall prey to a new parasite. This is why it is necessary to medicate the whole pond properly. Parasiticides or antibiotics may need to be added concurrently with salt treatments. Concentrations of salt stronger than 0.3% combined with formalin may be too harsh.
Salt has been used to control string algae at a concentration of .25% and higher. Killing large quantities of algae with salt may pollute the pond. Remove most of the algae by hand fisrt to reduce pollution.
Salt concentrations of 0.3% are effective at detoxifying nitrite. The salt interferes with the nitrite ion exchange at the fish's gills. Use until nitrites have cycled properly.
A 0.3% concentration is a good all around tonic for strengthening koi and improving disease treatments. This concentration will stunt your water lilies and stringy algae. You may choose to treat your fish in a separate container.
A 1.0% salt concentration is the same salinity as fish blood. This is called an isotonic solution. Salt does not transfer into or out of the fish's body. Under normal pond salinities (0.1%) ulcer disease can cause a loss of internal salts through the open sore. Addition of 1.0% salt to the koi in a separate hospital tank will limit this loss of internal salts. Limit this concentration to 2 to 4 weeks.
Always adjust salt levels gradually over 3 days to allow the koi time to adjust. Do not use salt continuously as parasites can become immune. The beneficial effects will be diminished. Use salt in the spring as a preventative for disease or when the koi are definitely sick. Monthly water changes will dilute salt to normal over time.
Note that the salt that should be used is non ionized, often refered to as Ice Cream Salt or Rock Salt. .
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