I read on a website that goldfish like aquarium salt in there tank. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried this in the past, and there results. I can imangine this being a fact because the salt will keep parasites away, but I wasn't sure if they could tolerate this for long periods of time, or just when in a quarintine tank. I was wondering because I am planning on getting a 55 gallon tank this summer. I was also wondering if a bushy nose pleco could be kept with two fantail goldfish at a tempeture of 68 degrees farenhiet.

Here's the website: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Goldfish-Live-for-Decades

I salt my tank with a TABLEspoon of coarse grained aquairum salt per 5 US gallons.
It will keep parasites at bay, and is good for their gills, but I'm not sure of my information so you'll have to wait till a higher up comes along.

i put in sea salt every now and again, in my tanks. but not all the time.

I would only ever use salt as a tonic at low levels (when there's split fins or external trauma) and at higher levels (0.3%) when I suspect parasites. Other then that, i keep their water salt free. Being fresh water fish, fresh water is what i supply them

I only use salt when needed. Goldfish need salt to survive, just like people, but theres enough salt (sodium/aluminium/calcium chloride) in tap water to sustain life. I only use it when i suspect something sinister or when quarantining new fish. I wouldn't use it routinely as you risk creating resistant bacteria to salt, not exactly sure how likely this is, but i work with resistant bacteria every day (i'm a nurse) so i would rather keep my tank salt free.

I'm not sure how strong the evidence for gill/slime coat protection is, but unless you have poor water quality or a disease present there shouldn't be any problems anyway. Goldfish will live perfectly healthy long (20yrs +) lives without extra salt.

Just my 2c

Edit: and oh oh! WELCOME TO KOKO'S!! weeeeee!!!!

oh and that site seems pretty good it gives the general idea of how to keep goldfish, but its actually generally correct, which is a rare find!

Here is a nice general article on salt:

http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...?showtopic=8382

Salt is one of the best all around cures and tonics available for goldfish. Many people do run 0.1% salt in their tanks at all times. I prefer to keep the salt for when it is needed. It seems to me, if I am trying to erradicate parasites with salt, it would be better if those parasites had never seen salt before. If they grow up in a 0.1%salt tank, the standard 0.3% salt for treatment would seem to have less effect on killing them.
(JMO)

I have had tremendous sucess in using salt to control many parasites - from ich to flukes. Salt dips are a regular preventative measure whenever I bring a new fish into the house. SAlt is a VERY useful weapon to keep on your shelf.