Should aquarium salt be used in freshwater tanks? Some say it should be dosed all the time to give fish the electrolytes they need, while others say it’s mostly used to treat illnesses. After years of testing with hundreds of fish, we’ve witnessed the true power of salt. As a “medicine” that can kill bacteria, fungus, and external parasites, sodium chloride (NaCl) is one of the best ones on the market. We love it because it’s cheap, easy to get in every country, never goes bad, and can be used in small or large amounts.
But we usually tell beginners to start with our three medicines because different types of fish can handle different amounts of salt, and it can be tricky to figure out and remember the right dose for each species. Another disadvantage is that salt cannot be used with most live plants and snails. Lastly, it’s easy to add too much salt to your freshwater aquarium by accident, which could kill everything in it, not just the bacteria. Still, both new and experienced fish keepers can benefit from this very effective cure as long as they use it correctly and in the right amounts.
Aquarium salt is a common additive used by freshwater aquarists to promote fish health. But what about invertebrates like shrimp? Is aquarium salt safe for shrimp or does it pose a risk? In this article, we’ll examine the effects of aquarium salt on shrimp and outline proper usage and safety precautions.
What is Aquarium Salt?
Aquarium salt is sodium chloride formulated specifically for use in freshwater aquariums It contains trace minerals and electrolytes that can help reduce stress, regulate osmosis, and prevent disease in fish The proper dose for aquarium salt is 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water.
Benefits of Using Aquarium Salt for Shrimp
When used correctly. aquarium salt can provide some benefits for shrimp
- Helps shrimp maintain proper osmotic balance and absorb minerals
- Assists with molting by providing essential minerals for new exoskeleton growth
- Reduces stress during water changes or acclimation to new tank
- May help prevent parasitic infections like ich
Aquarium salt is best used for these purposes during water changes or when introducing new shrimp to the tank. The positive effects most likely stem from the supplementary minerals shrimp can obtain from the salt.
Potential Risks of Aquarium Salt for Shrimp
While aquarium salt can help shrimp, it also poses some risks:
- Improper doses can disrupt the mineral balance and pH in the water
- Excess salt can actually increase stress on shrimp rather than reduce it
- Some species like Caridina and bee shrimp are more sensitive to salt
- Can interfere with growth, molting, breeding, and survival if overused
Shrimp have a much lower tolerance for salt compared to fish. What may be a therapeutic dose for fish can shock or even kill shrimp It’s critical to use caution and do research before adding salt to a shrimp tank.
Recommended Aquarium Salt Dosage for Shrimp
Most shrimp experts recommend avoiding salt altogether in tanks with sensitive shrimp like Caridina, Taiwan Bees, and Sulawesi species.
For hardier shrimp like Neocaridina and ghost shrimp, a dose of 1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons can be safe if introduced slowly. Monitor parameters and shrimp behavior closely. Increase the dose to 1 teaspoon for therapeutic reasons occasionally but never on a routine basis.
Do not exceed 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons, even when treating sick shrimp. Frequent water changes will help reset the water’s mineral balance after salt treatments.
Alternatives to Aquarium Salt for Shrimp
Instead of aquarium salt, consider these natural options for shrimp health:
- Indian Almond Leaves – Releases beneficial tannins, antibacterials, minerals
- Mineral Supplements – Specially formulated for shrimp
- Cuttlebone – Provides calcium and minerals for exoskeleton growth
- Bacter AE – Helps shrimp digest and absorb nutrients better
These alternatives can provide minerals and electrolytes without disrupting water parameters. Focus on stable, pristine water quality and a varied, nutrient-rich diet rather than salt for optimal shrimp health.
Using Aquarium Salt in a Tank with Shrimp and Fish
If your tank contains both fish and shrimp, aquarium salt use becomes even more complex. You’ll need to find a balance that helps the fish but does not harm the shrimp. Some tips:
- Use half doses of 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons
- Monitor water parameters diligently
- Increase oxygenation and surface agitation
- Provide additional hiding spaces for stressed shrimp
- Add salt directly into filter or hospital/quarantine tank when treating fish
The needs of shrimp and fish differ greatly in regards to salt. Aim for compromise rather than optimizing for either. Always observe the reaction of both shrimp and fish, and be prepared to act if any species shows signs of distress.
Signs of Aquarium Salt Toxicity in Shrimp
Watch for these signs that aquarium salt levels may be too high for your shrimp:
- Lethargy, lack of movement or feeding
- Clamped antennae and appendages
- Swimming erratically or frantically
- Loss of color/faded appearance
- Molting difficulties, failed molts
- Gasping at surface of water
Rapid gill movements, racing heartbeats, and berried females dropping all eggs are other red flags. If you observe any combination of these shrimp stress signals shortly after adding salt, act immediately – test parameters, perform water changes, add aeration, or remove saltwater-sensitive species if necessary.
Aquarium salt can benefit some shrimp species but poses a genuine risk to others – especially sensitive Caridina breeds. Use extreme care when adding salt to any tank with shrimp. Conservative doses, close monitoring of water parameters and shrimp behavior, and an awareness of species-specific tolerances are musts. Whenever possible, utilize natural alternatives for a shrimp-safe mineral supplement. With the proper precautions, aquarium salt can occasionally be used to promote shrimp health. But it should never become part of their regular care routine.
How Long Should the Salt Treatment Last?
Keep the salt in the aquarium until the fish look healthy. Then, change the water to get rid of the salt.
- Do a 100% water change without adding any salt at the end of treatment and then watch for a week.
- If the disease doesn’t come back, change the water again without adding salt and wait another week.
- In the event that the illness comes back, lower the dose of salt and add a little more salt to make the solution stronger. It’s likely that the original salt concentration wasn’t strong enough to completely get rid of the sickness, or the fish didn’t stay in the salt solution long enough to dry out all the pathogens.
How to Use Salt as a Medication
There are different types of salt with different particle sizes, levels of purity, and chemical makeups. For this article, we will only use normal aquarium salt or NaCl rock salt, not table salt, marine salt, or Epsom salt. (Also, the measurement listed below refer to United States (US) customary units, not the UK imperial system. Our treatment starts with the least amount of salt possible and slowly increases it if the symptoms don’t go away.
As you follow our treatment plan, make sure you use aquarium salt. Salt comes in many shapes and sizes.
1 Tbsp Salt per 3 Gallons of Water
Add 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) of salt per 3 gallons of water. You can put the salt right into the aquarium or hospital tank, but some people like to mix it with a little water first. In other words, this amount of salt is not very strong, like putting Neosporin on a small cut. It’s used to fight mild cases of bacterial and fungal infection. It also slightly irritates the fish’s slime coat, which makes it make more helpful mucus that can stop some parasites and microorganisms from getting into its body.
At our fish store, we’ve kept and sold thousands of fish. This salt level is safe for almost all fish, but not for anchor catfish. Leave the fish in the salt water for four to five days. If things don’t get better, raise the concentration.
1 Tbsp Salt per 2 Gallons of Water
For the next level of treatment, mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 2 gallons of water. Level 2 treatment is capable of combating a wider range of illnesses. This recipe can be used for 10 days to treat ich, which is a common illness also called white spot disease. However, if the symptoms are only getting worse after 5 days, try increasing the concentration again.
1 Tbsp Salt per 1 Gallon of Water
When medications and the lower salt levels have no effect, it’s time to bring out the big guns. If you increase the amount of salt to 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, this strong solution will kill almost everything. Level 3 treatment is very harsh on fish without scales and other sensitive species, so please learn more about it first. We’ve seen that rasboras, danios, tetras, silver dollars, livebearers, and most cichlids (as well as their fry) can handle a fair amount of salt. There isn’t much we don’t know about the Caridina crystal shrimp yet, but Neocaridina cherry shrimp can handle salt pretty well.
Note: aquarium salt does not evaporate or get filtered out. As water evaporates, the salt is left behind. Therefore, only add salt (in the proportionate amount) when doing water changes. To treat 100 gallons of level 2 water for ich, for example, you need 50 tablespoons of salt to start. Then, if you need to change the water (or take out 2020 gallons of water), add back 2020% of the salt (or 2010% of the tablespoon of salt) to the new water to keep the same concentration. It’s easy to take too much salt, so be careful when measuring it. Also, unlike most medicines, salt doesn’t break down over time.
If you take out the water that the salt is dissolved in, the salt will not evaporate or disappear. Be careful not to overdose your aquarium with salt.
Tank-wide Salt Treatment for Scutariella Japonica in Neocaridina Shrimp
Can you put shrimp in a freshwater aquarium?
If you are using freshwater shrimp in your aquarium, keep a close eye on them and add enough fresh water to compensate for the lost water volume. In addition, shrimp are sensitive to high salt content, so avoiding too much freshwater in your shrimp tank will help them adapt.
Do shrimp need aquarium salt?
Aquarium salt is not safe for all types of shrimps. Freshwater shrimp do not need aquarium salt at all. However, most types of shrimps can tolerate aquarium salt in small doses. Nonetheless, increasing the salt concentration to high levels at once can affect their health and is not recommended. Let’s dig into this a bit more… Does Shrimp Need Salt?
Is aquarium salt safe for Amano shrimp?
A low dosage of aquarium salt is safe for Amano shrimps. However, adult Amano shrimp are sensitive to saline water. Exposure to salt beyond permissible limits can harm them and put their life at risk. Pure aquarium salt can help your Amano shrimp if they are suffering from bacterial or fungal infections.
Do shrimp need Epsom salt?
In general, it’s generally agreed that shrimp do not need a significant amount of salt in their aquariums; concentrations typically recommended for freshwater aquariums can be reduced or omitted altogether when keeping shrimp. Is Epsom Salt Safe For Shrimp?