Betta Fish Salt Bath Length

My betta fish Sol has recently got himself hurt somehow, probably on the little barrel I have inside his biorb bowl (4 gallons) so he can swim through, hide, and just have fun. Anyway I was wondering about salt baths, my big sister who had owned two betta's now (the second still alive the first one died, rip Mint~) said that salt baths can help repair things like that. I thought it was only for fin rot and such but she said it can help with torn fins as well. I know everything else about like how much aquarium salt to put in, how long to soak him and what to do after he's done soaking 2-5 minutes, just all that good stuff but I'm not sure how many times I should do it. Is it a daily thing? A weekly thing? Or a one time thing?

 

Extra water changes and a consistent temp of 78-80 and he will heal on his own.

 

Extra water changes and a consistent temp of 78-80 and he will heal on his own.

Ok, thank you

 

Salt baths can help. As long as they are done correctly.

You will need a food safe container. Preferably 0.5-1 gallon. Fill will tank water. Add 1 tablespoon (3 tsp) per gallon of Aquarium Salt. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Then place the fish in the container for 5-8 minutes. I would do it once per day for 3-4 days.

Now. You can just add aquarium salt to the tank and not do a bath. The dosage is different. You will add 1 tsp per gallon of water. It doesn't get filtered out or evaporate, the only way to remove it is with water changes.

If you have inverts in the tank, I wouldn't add salt to the tank. I would do the bath instead.

 

Salt baths can help. As long as they are done correctly.

You will need a food safe container. Preferably 0.5-1 gallon. Fill will tank water. Add 1 tablespoon (3 tsp) per gallon of Aquarium Salt. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Then place the fish in the container for 5-8 minutes. I would do it once per day for 3-4 days.

Now. You can just add aquarium salt to the tank and not do a bath. The dosage is different. You will add 1 tsp per gallon of water. It doesn't get filtered out or evaporate, the only way to remove it is with water changes.

If you have inverts in the tank, I wouldn't add salt to the tank. I would do the bath instead.

Can aquarium salt be substituted for any type of household salt? I'm just wondering if there are any cheaper/more available alternatives. My fish also needs some and my pet store doesn't have any and I don't want to wait for Amazon.

 

Rock salt can be used. You don't want to use table salt because it has a caking agent in it, that is dangerous for the fish. But rock salt is fine. You can find it at the grocery store pretty easily.

 

This is what I use. It's very small grains, easy to dissolve, available at Walmart with canning supplies... It's canning Salt. Any salt is perfectly suitable so long as the ONLY ingredient is SALT.

 

Salt baths can help. As long as they are done correctly.

You will need a food safe container. Preferably 0.5-1 gallon. Fill will tank water. Add 1 tablespoon (3 tsp) per gallon of Aquarium Salt. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Then place the fish in the container for 5-8 minutes. I would do it once per day for 3-4 days.

Now. You can just add aquarium salt to the tank and not do a bath. The dosage is different. You will add 1 tsp per gallon of water. It doesn't get filtered out or evaporate, the only way to remove it is with water changes.

If you have inverts in the tank, I wouldn't add salt to the tank. I would do the bath instead.

Ok thank you I also have another question completely separate from this but it just recently happened. I was out yesterday and whenever I am someone else feeds my pets for me, thing is this is the first time my brother fed my betta, I thought he knew how to only feed him 3 pellets after I even told him and explained why but I guess he wasn't really listening and ended up feeding him more than 3, like 12 apparently because he just took a pinch. Now I'm worried because he has been overly fed, I even saw a few pellets floating around when I got back home. Is there anything I should do? Should I not feed him for a few days or just go on as normal with his feeding schedule today?

 

I wouldn't feed him again today. Skip it and resume feeding tomorrow.

 

I wouldn't feed him again today. Skip it and resume feeding tomorrow.

Ok, thank you

 

Salt baths can help. As long as they are done correctly.

HI AllieSten are you able to check out my aquarium salt question? Thanks a lot!

(Sorry to piggy back on this thread)

 

My betta did not react well to salt, I wouldn't recommend it. If you do extra water changes and make sure the water is the right temp, he will heal on his own. Dried indian almond leaves can help too

 

My betta has fin rot and I’ve decided to try to give him a salt bath (frequent water changes weren’t helping). I did a 50% WC yesterday and added Seachem Stress Guard because I know salt baths can be really stressful and I don’t want to bother him after the salt bath so that he can fully recover.
I’m going to have a 1 gallon container with 1 tbsp of aquarium salt and another container with 1/4 aquarium salt water and 3/4 tank water. I’m going to keep him in the salt bath for 5 minutes.
Is there anything else I should know/do? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

I’m going to have a 1 gallon container with 1 tbsp of aquarium salt and another container with 1/4 aquarium salt water and 3/4 tank water. I’m going to keep him in the salt bath for 5 minutes.
Is there anything else I should know/do? Any tips would be appreciated.

Sorry, having trouble understanding your process. Is it a dip in 1 gallon dechlorinated water:1tbsp aquarium salt and then back into an aquarium that has salt in the water all the time?

 

Sorry, having trouble understanding your process. Is it a dip in 1 gallon dechlorinated water:1tbsp aquarium salt and then back into an aquarium that has salt in the water all the time?

I’m going to have two 1 gallon containers. The first one will have dechlorinated water and 1 tbsp of salt, which I will keep my betta in for 5 minutes. The the second container which I will fill up with 1/4 salt water and 3/4 tank water and keep my betta in it for 5 minutes. Then put him back in the tank.

I just want to make sure if this is going to be alright. I don’t want my betta to stress too much.

 

Honestly it might be better just to move him directly from the tank to the salt (as long as it’s the same temp) purely because more moving around could cause more stress

 

I personally prefer the use of natural remedies. Take a look at your little buddies habitat, you’ll see it’s covered with leaves, and these leaves all provide tannins. These tannins give Betta’s extra slime on their coating and they help to boost the immune system and treat any illnesses they may be going through. I’ve never given a salt bath before, but I do personally think the least amount of stress will come from helping him recover how he would in the wild. I hope my insight for you little buddy helps!

 

Honestly it might be better just to move him directly from the tank to the salt (as long as it’s the same temp) purely because more moving around could cause more stress

That’s what I’m going to do. But after the 5 minute salt bath, I would move him to the second container, so it wouldn’t shock him going through such a big change.

I personally prefer the use of natural remedies. Take a look at your little buddies habitat, you’ll see it’s covered with leaves, and these leaves all provide tannins. These tannins give Betta’s extra slime on their coating and they help to boost the immune system and treat any illnesses they may be going through. I’ve never given a salt bath before, but I do personally think the least amount of stress will come from helping him recover how he would in the wild. I hope my insight for you little buddy helps!

I agree, but unfortunately I have carbon in my filter, which would just take out the tannins. He’s also getting worse everyday, so I don’t want to wait any longer to treat him.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I've just not heard of this "double dip" method so didn't understand. Sorry you are going through this.

 

That’s what I’m going to do. But after the 5 minute salt bath, I would move him to the second container, so it wouldn’t shock him going through such a big change.


I agree, but unfortunately I have carbon in my filter, which would just take out the tannins. He’s also getting worse everyday, so I don’t want to wait any longer to treat him.

Hope he recovers my friend!

 

Thanks for clarifying. I've just not heard of this "double dip" method so didn't understand. Sorry you are going through this.

It’s not really a double dip. The second container is just to acclimate him back to his tank water. I saw many people do this in YouTube videos as well. I’m just worried about how stressful this could be. I don’t want him to get any worse .

 

Update: I just finished giving him the salt bath. He was actually completely okay in the bath but didn’t like being acclimated. He’s currently back in his tank and seems stressed obviously. His fins are clamped but that’s probably because all of the different water changes. He’s breathing fine, so I hope he’s going to be back to normal in a few minutes. I’ll update again later.

Thanks for clarifying. I've just not heard of this "double dip" method so didn't understand. Sorry you are going through this.

I forgot to ask, what method do you usually see or do?

 

Hi, I have done dips at 1tsp sodium chloride to 3l water. From tank to treatment container, back to tank.

Fortunately have only tried this once or twice as it's extremely stressful on the fish. In one case it was a Harlequin Rasbora who I was convinced was on the way out by its movements. I thought the dip will either help or put it out of its misery (due to the stress of treatment). The effect on the Rasbora was immediate and I never had any issues with that fish again.

I find neocaridina shrimp tolerate salt dips very well, FWIW.

I've not found salt to help with finrot-prevention and antibiotics are the way to go.

Sorry your guy isn't doing well.

 

Hi, I have done dips at 1tsp sodium chloride to 3l water. From tank to treatment container, back to tank.

Fortunately have only tried this once or twice as it's extremely stressful on the fish. In one case it was a Harlequin Rasbora who I was convinced was on the way out by its movements. I thought the dip will either help or put it out of its misery (due to the stress of treatment). The effect on the Rasbora was immediate and I never had any issues with that fish again.

I find neocaridina shrimp tolerate salt dips very well, FWIW.

I've not found salt to help with finrot-prevention and antibiotics are the way to go.

Sorry your guy isn't doing well.

Thanks!
Also he’s doing better now. His fins aren’t clamped anymore, he’s swimming around and wants to eat (but today’s when he’s supposed to fast lol).
Hopefully the salt bath helped him. I’m also currently adding adding Seachem Stress guard to his tank. It’s an antiseptic so it will hopefully help. If the fin rot continues then I’ll definitely try antibiotics then, but hopefully I won’t have to.

 

I didn't realize you were using Stress Guard-might be overkill. What about just using that and nixing the dips?

I'm glad he's feeling better. Hope he continues in the right direction!

 

I didn't realize you were using Stress Guard-might be overkill. What about just using that and nixing the dips?

I'm glad he's feeling better. Hope he continues in the right direction!

I was only planning on doing one salt dip for now (unless I missed something and your supposed to do more than one?).
From what I understand though, I started using stress guard to help with the stress and isn’t it supposed to act like a bandage in a way? That’s what I heard in a video at least.

 

I hope I didn't come across as challenging your methods-that wasn't my intention.

From the bottle:

>StressGuard™ is the premium slime coat protection product...StressGuard™ binds to exposed protein in wounds to promote healing of injured fish and to reduce the likelihood of primary and secondary infections.

... it contains protein active colloids. This protein active colloidal agent actively seeks out any wounds, abrasions, or places where exposed proteins are and attaches to this area to help directly deliver the disinfectant in the product and start the healing process. This protein active colloid, because it binds to the exposed proteins, also acts like a liquid bandage to the abrasion."

Sounds like you have this on lock!!

 

I hope I didn't come across as challenging your methods-that wasn't my intention.

From the bottle:

>StressGuard™ is the premium slime coat protection product...StressGuard™ binds to exposed protein in wounds to promote healing of injured fish and to reduce the likelihood of primary and secondary infections.

... it contains protein active colloids. This protein active colloidal agent actively seeks out any wounds, abrasions, or places where exposed proteins are and attaches to this area to help directly deliver the disinfectant in the product and start the healing process. This protein active colloid, because it binds to the exposed proteins, also acts like a liquid bandage to the abrasion."

Sounds like you have this on lock!!

It didn’t seem like if you were challenging my methods lol. This is my first time I’m treating fin rot, want to sure I’m not missing anything. Thanks for the help!

 

I'm late on this thread, but I am going through the same exact thing so I understand. Frequent PWCs didn't help me either. I think salt baths are helping him though. This is my setup:
A container with 1 Gallon of water, within 2ºF or tank. I add 1 Tsp of salt and dissolve it. Then I fill the cup I got him in 1/4 of the way with salt water. I then fill the rest of that with tank water.
I add him to the first container for 8 minutes and add him to the acclimation one for 5. Then I release him into his tank.
His tail now seems a little less fuzzy and melty.
Good luck with your fish! I hope he gets better!

 

I'm late on this thread, but I am going through the same exact thing so I understand. Frequent PWCs didn't help me either. I think salt baths are helping him though. This is my setup:
A container with 1 Gallon of water, within 2ºF or tank. I add 1 Tsp of salt and dissolve it. Then I fill the cup I got him in 1/4 of the way with salt water. I then fill the rest of that with tank water.
I add him to the first container for 8 minutes and add him to the acclimation one for 5. Then I release him into his tank.
His tail now seems a little less fuzzy and melty.
Good luck with your fish! I hope he gets better!

How often do you do this?
Good luck with your fish too btw!

 

How often do you do this?
Good luck with your fish too btw!

Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention that. I am starting with once a day. I'm gonna kick it up to twice a day if once a day doesn't help.
Good luck too!

 

Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention that. I am starting with once a day. I'm gonna kick it up to twice a day if once a day doesn't help.
Good luck too!

That's a lot! Does it get stressful for him or is he okay with it? I hope he'll recover with the once a day salt baths.



Also another update: His tail seems to have less inflammation and he seems to be a lot calmer. Now I'm worried he might be too calm . I'm always worrying about him, but I think he's definitely doing a little better .

 

That's a lot! Does it get stressful for him or is he okay with it? I hope he'll recover with the once a day salt baths.



Also another update: His tail seems to have less inflammation and he seems to be a lot calmer. Now I'm worried he might be too calm . I'm always worrying about him, but I think he's definitely doing a little better .

I just turned the PWCs down a notch to 50% Bidaily. You can lessen the stress but I don't think you can take it away when you're doing baths. It's good that there is less inflammation! I noticed that when I started salt baths. Still struggling with the rot though. Hope your Betta recovers!

 

I just turned the PWCs down a notch to 50% Bidaily. You can lessen the stress but I don't think you can take it away when you're doing baths. It's good that there is less inflammation! I noticed that when I started salt baths. Still struggling with the rot though. Hope your Betta recovers!

One more questions lol. How many baths are you supposed to do? I only did one in the befogging of the week. Should I wait and see if it helps, or do I have to keep doing them every week until I see improvement?

 

One more questions lol. How many baths are you supposed to do? I only did one in the befogging of the week. Should I wait and see if it helps, or do I have to keep doing them every week until I see improvement?

I do them every day and I'm pretty sure you do them until the fin starts growing back, I would probably do them afterward for a little while just to help.

 

I do them every day and I'm pretty sure you do them until the fin starts growing back, I would probably do them afterward for a little while just to help.

I didn't know you had to do them everyday...
I think doing them everyday would be wayyyy to stressful for him though. I'll stick to once a week and hopefully that will help.

 

I didn't know you had to do them everyday...
I think doing them everyday would be wayyyy to stressful for him though. I'll stick to once a week and hopefully that will help.

Ok, I wish the best.

 

Never had problems with fin rot but once got betta from shop and second day noticed columnaris on him.

Decided to do salt DIP (concentrated and shorter than bath)

From what I see you are using one stronger and one weaker salt solution just like it's done with salt dips (not sure if it's needed with baths and 1tbsp of salt.

Anyway process of salt DIP is (cant find link where i got it, but it was Asian fish vet explaining the process bit by bit)
25g of salt (aquarium, 100% rock salt or 100% pink rock salt. Epsom salt is not suitable for this) per 1l of water (concentrated)
You take 1l of tank water and dissolve 25g of your salt in plastic container that can hold 4l of water.
You dip your fish for 5 to max 8 minutes maximum and monitor closely (if fish starts passing out - back to tank straight away, for me 5 min worked and betta was kind of lethargic but still swimming)
After 5 minutes passed pour another 3 litres of water in that container and leave fish for another 5 minutes (this is acclimation process which works better than moving fish to another container)
After that fish goes back to tank.

Not sure will this be suitable for fin rot, but if you ever have problems with columnaris, this method cleared it in 10 minutes.

 

Never had problems with fin rot but once got betta from shop and second day noticed columnaris on him.

Decided to do salt DIP (concentrated and shorter than bath)

From what I see you are using one stronger and one weaker salt solution just like it's done with salt dips (not sure if it's needed with baths and 1tbsp of salt.

Anyway process of salt DIP is (cant find link where i got it, but it was Asian fish vet explaining the process bit by bit)
25g of salt (aquarium, 100% rock salt or 100% pink rock salt. Epsom salt is not suitable for this) per 1l of water (concentrated)
You take 1l of tank water and dissolve 25g of your salt in plastic container that can hold 4l of water.
You dip your fish for 5 to max 8 minutes maximum and monitor closely (if fish starts passing out - back to tank straight away, for me 5 min worked and betta was kind of lethargic but still swimming)
After 5 minutes passed pour another 3 litres of water in that container and leave fish for another 5 minutes (this is acclimation process which works better than moving fish to another container)
After that fish goes back to tank.

Not sure will this be suitable for fin rot, but if you ever have problems with columnaris, this method cleared it in 10 minutes.

Are you describing a salt bath or dip? I did a salt dip, but I accidentally called the thread "salt bath". I'm a little confused about how you're saying to do it though.
I also followed this website: Salt Baths for the steps.

 

Can't find link, maybe it's removed.
But I do remember procedure he was explaining.
It was Asian fish vet in huge fishroom explaining how to do bath and dip, what kind of salt etc.

The method I explained above is DIP