Fish enthusiasts are well aware that the simplest treatment methods for fish diseases are known as “The Old Three”. So, what are “The Old Three”? They refer to the three commonly used methods for treating fish diseases: raising the temperature, water change, and adding salt. Today, I will provide a detailed introduction to these three methods.
Raising the Temperature
The purpose of raising the temperature is to enhance the fish’s immune system, similar to how humans may have a fever when they are sick, which is a natural temperature-raising mechanism of the body. However, fish are ectothermic animals and cannot regulate their body temperature autonomously. Therefore, we need to artificially raise the temperature of the aquarium water to stimulate the fish’s immune system.
How to Determine the Appropriate Temperature Increase?
I will share a method with you. Identify the species of fish you are raising and look up the optimal growth temperature for that species, then increase the temperature by five degrees on that basis. For example, if the fish thrives best at 26 degrees Celsius, you can raise the temperature to 31 degrees Celsius.
Water Change
Many fish diseases are caused by poor water quality, such as high levels of ammonia nitrogen and nitrite, leading to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. In such cases, a water change is the most effective solution. The amount of water changed should not be excessive and can be done in small amounts multiple times, changing once a day with no more than a quarter of the total volume.
Adding Salt
The purpose of adding salt is not for sterilization. If the concentration of salt were high enough to sterilize, the fish would be pickled like salted fish. So, what is the real purpose of adding salt? Adding salt is to regulate the osmotic pressure and alleviate the burden on the fish’s internal organs.
Salt Concentration and Choice
The concentration of salt should be controlled at around 0.5%, which means adding approximately 0.5 kilograms of salt to 100 liters of water. Additionally, it is best to use coarse salt or sea salt, as their effects are better than that of regular table salt.
Remember, it is not advisable to easily medicate the aquarium, while using The Old Three methods is simple and effective.
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/traditional-methods-treating-fish-diseases-raising-temperature-water-change-adding-salt
Comments(2)
Thanks for clarifying the salt’s role! I’ve always wondered, are there any fish species where salt treatment is *not* recommended?
@CriticX：Thank you for your excellent question! While this article covers general salt treatment, some scaleless fish species, such as certain catfish and loaches, are known to be more sensitive to salt. Always research your specific fish’s tolerance.