Sodium Chloride & Magnesium Sulphate

[coolfishfan]

I have heard that sucker fish don't like Sodium Chloride.
Just need to know what all tropical fishes don't like the same.
 
And also, are there any tropical fishes having problem with Magnesium Sulphate ?
If yes, can somebody please name those ?
 
Thanks.

 

[fluttermoth]

The so-called 'scaleless fish', which includes all catfish and loaches, don't like salt (including magnesium sulphate/Epsom salt). Soft water fish, like many tetras, also tolerate salt very badly.

Salts can be useful as a medication, but should never normally be added to a tank.

Why is it you want to know? Are you needing to use some kind of salt to medicate your fish? What is the problem and what kinds of fish do you have?

 

[StevenF]

we really need to know why you are asking this question.  otherwise we may not provide an answer that is useful to you.  Sodium chloride is ordinary table salt which is often extracted from sea water.  Fresh water fish cannot live in ocean salt water.  Even small amounts of salt may be harmful to them.  Magnesium sulfate is often used in micro nutrient plant fertilizers in fresh and salt water aquariums.  However the amount typically added is so small that it is not harmful to fish.   However adding any significant amount of either of these will increase water hardness and increase salinity. eventually the water becomes toxic to the fish and they will die.  

 

[coolfishfan]

I have guppies, sucker fish, chinese algae eater, Otocinclus, Bristlenose all in one tank.
 
I don't have an additional tank to cure my guppies if they happen to be sick.
 
The only option in such case is to cure them in the same tank.
If I add Magnesium Sulphate or Sodium Cloride in the tank to cure the guppies,
then will that hurt the other fish ?

 

[StevenF]

I would only use "Salt" as a desperate last measure.  You would be better off using medications available at a fish store.  

 

[StevenF]

 
 
I have guppies, sucker fish, chinese algae eater, Otocinclus, Bristlenose all in one tank.

You have a problem.  Guppies prefer hard water.  Otocinclus prefers soft water.  Not sure on the bristlenose.  If you use soft water the Guppies may be stressed and may get sick and die over time.  I you switch to hard water the Guppies would be fine but the Otocinlus may be stressed and get sick.  You basically have fish that prefer very different water.  Now maybe medium hardness water might be suitable for both, or not sutable for either.   There is no way to know.  The best solutions to this problem are: 
1, To set up two different tanks one with hard water and one with soft water. 
2, to rehome some of the fish so the tank only has fish that prefer one type  of water.

 

[coolfishfan]

Thanks... that would help !!