How should I use aquarium salt and Melafix?

Question

I have a black moor that is beat up pretty good. I have him in a tank with two albino corys.

I have some aquarium salt and some Melafix. (not yet, but I'm going to have them) The water that he is in was dechlorinated and I put some Stress Coat in there earlier. When my husband gets home with the Melafix and the aquarium salt, should I use only one or can I use both at the same time?

He's got some pretty good tears on his back, his eye, and his tail is tattered. I discovered earlier that my Tiger Barbs as well as my Serpae Tetra were attacking him. When I pulled the Barbs out, the Serpae took over. So I switched the tanks and put the Moor in the 10 gal and put the Barbs back into the 40 gal.

Another situation --- I still have a Beta in the tank with the Barbs and the Serpae --- He may be a target now that my Moor is gone. But still yet, I can't pull him out and put him in the 10 gal because the water will be too cold for him. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You can use melafix and the salt at the same time, just make sure to remove your carbon and to follow the directions carefully.

I would take the betta out of the tank, the other fish will likely target him next if you have removed all other casualties. I'm sure it is okay if they have been together for awhile, but I'm not sure how you have been keeping a betta fish with a black moor. Bettas are tropical, needing a heater and black moors are freshwater, needing no heater. It is okay to use the heater with the goldfish if you just want to set a minimum temp you will allow your tank water to get to. Goldfish are pond fish and are used to ups and downs in water temp.

Good luck, I hope your Moor is feeling better really soon!!

Answer 2

Use the salt at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of tank and use the Melafix as per the directions.

The betta will most likely become the target of the nippers and he would need to be removed to a small container of his own. A 1 gallon bowl makes a good home for a betta. Bettas can take cool water down to the low 70's and for a short term (a few weeks) into the upper 60's with no harm done, so the 10 might not be too cool for him for the time being. Better cool water than attacks from fin nippers give a choice between the two.

Answer 3

Use 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons, but add it slowly over the course of a day. Use the regular directions for melafix. The salt may bother the cories, if they start acting strange do a water change to reduce the salinity.

Answer 4

avoid salt for injuries -- its like rubbing salt in the wound -- painful. With him separated from the culprits he will most likely recover on his own -- but watch for signs of fungus.
Betta though slow can most likely take care of himself. He will likely become a target at first but the tetras and barbs will soon learn not to mess with him. Bettas can survive room temperature if push comes to shove then put him with the moor.

Answer 5

use the salt just a little at a time, if it is not a slat water tank.