How To Use Salt When Treating Koi

It is known that salt is useful as a preservative, and it can also applied toward the treatment of disease since it is antimicrobial. However, knowing how to use it specifically for the treatment of koi requires specialized knowledge which will be discussed below.

Why Is Salt So Important For Koi?

Some hobbyists choose to raise their koi in mud ponds, since these environments are natural and allow the fish to flourish. Mud ponds are also rich in natural salt, but after harvesting the koi and moving them to recirculation or concrete ponds they will be in an environment which is unnatural. If salt is not added to such indoor systems manually, the rapid change in the salt levels will result in the koi developing osmoregulatory imbalance which is also referred to as sleeping sickness.

Experts recommend adding 6kg of salt per cubic meter (which is about 220 gallons) although it is possible for fish to handle even higher levels. By adding salt to the water, two things will occur. First, the pond’s osmotic imbalance will be improved, and the fish will also be protected from parasites. In a nutshell, adding the salt to the pond water transforms the liquid into medication. Koi fish have their own internal salt content (which is approximately 0.9 percent) and some breeders in Israel and Europe raise them in water that is relatively brackish.

Another reason why salt is so important for koi is because it calms them down. When the fish have been through a stressful event, adding 0.3 percent salt will calm them because at this level it functions as a tonic. Salt mimics mucus production, which plays an important role in their immune system.

How Salt Differs From Other Chemicals

There are a lot of chemicals used in the treatment of ponds and fish. Some of them are great, while others are less so. What sets salt apart (aside from the fact that it is natural) is that salt will not be eliminated because of evaporation, oxidization or biodegradation. The only way to eliminate it is by changing the water. Salt is a necessity for the survival of koi and at the right dose they will tolerate it.

However, many koi experts are opposed to the usage of salt dips, since it is believed they cause stress in the fish while stripping their mucus layer. Although dipping is certainly effective in eradicating parasites, once the fish’s mucus layer is stripped, the fish winds up defenseless against re-infestation once they’re placed back in the pond.

It is also important to pay attention to how you add the salt. It should be allowed to dissolve since salt piles which come in close proximity to the fish might burn them. Salt should not be added unless necessary for medicinal purposes and you’ll want to bring down the levels as soon as possible after the fish have become healthy. It is also essential to utilize a salt meter since without it you won’t be able to dose properly.