Salt...conflicting Stories ?

[noclueman]

Ok, I just bought a spotted Pictus Catfish 2 days ago and added him to my tank. I usually add a little bit of salt to the tank when I change water and such. I asked the guy at the fish store if this pictus would be fine with salt and he said "Yes, he'll be fine, he's got salt in his tank here too."

The pinned topic in this forrum says not to add salt to any tanks with catfish in them.

This website also says it's ok
http/fishprofiles.com/profiles/fw/profil...imelodus+pictus
"Be careful of the sharp dorsal spine when handling. As the Pictus Catfish has no scales, it is susceptible to white spot, though try not to use traditional medications. Traditional white spot medications such as those that contain methylene blue are detrimental to scaleless fish. To combat white spot in Pictus Catfish add one teaspoon of non-iodised salt per four litres of water and raise the temperature to 29°C for 48 hours while not feeding the fish."

Sorry if this has been beaten to death, but I am new and I'm confused.
Anyone care to help explain it?

Thanks,
Noclueman

 

[ger87410]

The catfish sharks you can add salt to. If the lfs said that they had salt in the tank, I'm sure it's OK. As usual monitor closely.

 

[CFC]

Pictus catfish and most other tropical catfish come from waters with very little or no measurable salt content so are not adapted to live with salt in their water. The effects will not be seen instantly but by keeping these catfish in salted water you are causing their internal organs to have to do double the work to get the balance of salts and water right in the the body. In comparision salt to catfish is like alcohol to humans, a little doesnt hurt but long term use degenerates the internal organs and causes disease and premature death.

 

[ger87410]

Excellent way of putting it CFC. That don't apply to columbian shark catfish though. Are they tropical?

 

[Robert]

i put salt with my corries and pleco and it didn't affect them one bit

 

[CFC]

i put salt with my corries and pleco and it didn't affect them one bit

The effects will not be seen instantly but by keeping these catfish in salted water you are causing their internal organs to have to do double the work to get the balance of salts and water right in the the body. In comparision salt to catfish is like alcohol to humans, a little doesnt hurt but long term use degenerates the internal organs and causes disease and premature death.

are you sure they are fine?