maddygirrl

Hi,
I am cycling a 112G/420L tank that i want to have community fish in it such as angelfish, livebearers (including guppies), gouramis, otos etc. i have heard that livebearers need salt and wondering if these other fish would be ok with that or livebearers would be fine without. if it is true that guppies would be fine without salt, why does it suggest they should have it?
thank you, looking forward to answers

COBettaCouple

freshwater fish don't need salt and I think old-time tank thinking and/or wanting to sell aquarium salt is why fish shops will tell you that.

maddygirrl

ok, but even on fishlore is says so

Chief_waterchanger

What specifically are you referring to as saying so? I'm not saying it doesn't, but could you give links so that we may address that?

Kiwwi

Guppies do not REQUIRE salt. Aquarium salt is mainly used to treat tail rot and restore your guppies natural slime coat. However you can avoid those problems with out salt. All you have to do is weekly 10-25% water changes and keep that water clean and your guppies stress free. And you can prevent tail rot by keeping you water about 78-80 degrees. By not adding salt you can keep many different variety of fish in your tank and that is always fun. The only time I think some one should suggest to use aquarium salt in there tank 24/7 is if it is specifically livebearer tank only.

I hope this helps.

COBettaCouple

I found it on the molly profile page.

I think livebearers can tolerate brackish water and become acclimated to it, but they definitely don't 'need' it. I would be hesitant to put salt in a freshwater tank, especially a community tank.