How to safely use salt baths for minnow black spots and parasites?

It could be early ich (white spot) infection or another infection (bacterial or fungal). To be safe, separate him into a quarantine tank and monitor for any change. You can treat for ich as you did it in the past if indicated. Bacterial and fungal infections have different treatments, so I would be hesitant to recommend a specific medication without more information or a definitive diagnosis. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or Epsom salt). As a general tonic to reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection of many types and to aid in recovery. This can be added to the quarantine tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish and including a photo. This is a fairly large lesion and needs to be diagnosed and treated. Parasitic infestations and bacterial infections must be considered. Adding non-iodized salt at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons for 3 consecutive days might provide some osmotic relief but is not therapeutic levels. A skin scrape and microscopic examination is needed to diagnose parasites is needed. Different parasites require different medications. Bacterial infections should be treated with systemic antibiotics through injections or oral medications, not water additives. Good luck.

This could be bacterial or parasitic infection. It is difficult to determine definitively since the image provided is not clear. Fish can be difficult to photograph. Basic care includes checking water quality and chemistry. This can be done using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. There should be an absence of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20-60 ppm. pH should be as close to 7 as possible, avoiding large swings. Koi can tolerate a wide range in temperature, but generally do best between 65 F and 75 F. Again, avoid large swings in temperature to prevent stress or shock. If necessary, a partial water change can be done to stabilize chemistry and/or improve water quality. If you have other koi, consider placing this one in a hospital tank to make treatment easier and to prevent spread if the condition is infectious. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 14 days then reassess the condition. If there is no change, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic or "all in one" treatment. Either can be found in the Aquarium section at Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. All that said, if the spots multiply and appear like tiny grains of salt, it could be an ich infection. In this case the entire tank will require treatment. There are several commercial ich medications that can be used. You will also need to thoroughly vacuum the substrate/gravel in the tank and wipe down all tank furniture.

It certainly sounds like something is irritating this fish. Most often it is caused by parasites, usually ich. With ich you sometimes see salt like spots on the fins, you also may see a dusting in the dark if you shine a light. Other things that could cause itching would be irritants such as high ammonia levels. Personally I do not like adding chemicals to the water, especially not with other species such as snails and shrimp. To treat ich you can simply increase the water temperature and you can bathe the individual in salty water.

It doesn't have the appearance of ich. He would have white spots, like grains of salt all over him. I don't see fungal growth either in the images. He does have some fin rot though. Check the water chemistry. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Confirm an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 40 ppm or less. maintain temp between 78 F and 80 F. This is the optimal range for a Betta. Maintain pristine water quality as well as temperature. Continue with the ParaGuard since it is appropriate for fin rot. Follow label directions. You can also add in a bit of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic to decrease stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve no more than 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tan. Treat with salt for 10-14 days then reassess his condition. Partial water changes can be done to reduce salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You may need to treat the fin rot for longer but don't use salt for more than 2 weeks in a row without a break. Also, if possible, decrease filter flow to reduce the current. Bettas prefer slow moving water. To provide an immune system boost, you can soak pellets in some garlic juice .

Thanks for reaching out about Dart and including photos. The lesions are not clearly visible in the pictures but by the description, could be parasitic as in salt water ich (cryptocaryon). A veterinary visit could provide diagnostic services, as a skin scrape and recommend a treatment plan. Other fish will be affected so treatment should include the entire aquarium. Good luck.

Check the water chemistry. The discoloration could be due to elevated ammonia levels which can cause "burns". Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. The Neons (blue fish) appear to be infected with Ich, a parasite. Treatment is possible with commercial products found in the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully. You will need to treat the entire tank until all traces are gone. Removing a lump from your fish on your own is never recommended. You can cause severe injury. Most broad spectrum antibiotics (Kanaplex, Maracyn, Maracyn 2, etc.) found in the aquarium section of the local Petco should help treat or prevent infection. Choose one and follow label directions. Remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes to aid in recovery. You can feed frozen worms, just thaw then first in a small cup then place them in the tank.