You know at petsmart and petco they have the little cards that tell you about the fish. Max size, recomended temp and tank size, decor and other facts about the fish.

Well i was looking at Silver tipped Sharks, (not bala sharks) the ones that look like catfish, Well the card says, "Aquarium salt required" I notice that the fish in that particular display are mixed, some "require" salt, others don't.

My question is, how absolute is this requirement? and i am sure it is species dependent as well.

Any knowledge that you can share would be appreciated.


P.S. I got a red tailed shark instead, he is mighty cool looking and he is fun to watch, he just got done acclimating.

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55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad

The best thing to do with researching fish is to check multiple sources - I've looked up multiple fish profiles online and have found many things that are different, but in general most of the profiles reach a consensus on most things.

There's also an "ideal" environment and then there's a "tolerable" environment. Most fish can live together despite not being in ideal conditions - they can tolerate many different things. Just depends on how comfortable you want to make your fish.

For example, many people make biotopes - fish and plants and things which are all from the same region in the world, like the Amazon river. Makes for a much more natural-looking and harmonious tank, if you ask me

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

That's what i thought, that there is a perfect ideal condition and then there is a wider band of tolerable conditions. Like Mollies and live bearers, don't absolutely need salt, but most claim they do better with it.

Also, i love biotopes. I have an empty 20 gallon i want to start up and I want to do some sort of biotope, just not sure which one yet.

Thank you for your response.

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55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad

From what I've read, they do need some salt. But, as already stated, it's best to check multiple sources.

Wow, a red tip shark! He's gonna' get big! :D

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

I can't speak to your particular question, but in my experience those little cards often aren't very accurate, for example giving a much smaller recommended tank size than I would even consider. They are trying to *sell* you fish (and salt!), after all, not so much help you keep them alive/happy.

Yea i know that. The recommended tank size is usually really small. And they tell you a lot of species need to be kept in very large groups when those particular species couldn't care less is it were solo.

And holly, i think your mistaken for a red tailed catfish, the card said 4" for max and online I've seen 6" as the most.

The silver tipped shark i asked about, they get 14"+, but i am glad i didn't buy it because after research today, I learned they get big and mean and destructive fast. and i also learned they don't really need salt until they get full grown.

I am happy with my red tailed shark and what i learned about him researching today

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55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad

*************** i originally posted red tipped shark, my mistake, RED TAILED SHARK is what i purchased. ****************

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55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad