Kay sent me a very interesting email reproduced below. There are a number of issues that are important to address

-----Original Message-----
From: Kay Edgar
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 7:37 PM
To: 'Anthony Roocroft'
Subject: RE: Salt in Fish Ponds... What You Need to Know

I was told by a local pet shop to use salt in my outside fish pond which I
did but my problem was underfeeding the fish and keeping the pond too clean.
I was starving them hence all babies were eaten which is awful but I then
knew no better.

Just now whilst following your links I noted it said to remove all plants, I
didn't do this but my plants (eg water lilies) were in their dormant state.
I used a small amount of salt but I was about to re-do it. I bought "rock
salt" with not much info on the packet, but it is not iodised. I have just
purchased a beautiful lotus plant and have or had) some beautiful water
lilies, now I am of two minds about the salt. I have had no causalities with
my fish since I am feeding them more, and I do not have any obvious disease.
Pond 6m x 3m x 1/2m.

Kayleen Edgar
Coorparoo Qld 4151

My Reply

Kayleen ... thanks for the email. You do not need to add salt to your pond. As a general rule do not add anything to your pond unless you know exactly why and what impact will be. When you do need to add anything to pond it is critical to get the right concentrations.

You can never underfeed your fish ... they will survive for a long time without your feeding them. Also water can never be too clean.

It is normal for babies to be eaten by the parents and this is why it is important to separate eggs and fry ... see this article about protecting small fish and eggs



Regards


Tony Roocroft