Dangers of salt with Fire Bellies

[brookefox0]

Hi,

I posted a few days ago concerning problems with an Fire Bellied Newt that I have who is up in age. Due to what I thought to be a good suggestion, I placed part of a dissolvable calcium block in the aquarium and threw in a teaspoon of aquarium salt. I have a younger, healthier newt in the tank and was wondering whether the overload of vitamins might harm that one. Additionally, because of the healing properties salt has, what would be the effects on both of them in using a bit more than the recommended dosage? It may be worth a shot for the old one, who doesn't seem to heal quickly. Thanks, let me know if anyone has any ideas.

 

[Kaysie]

Neither of those substances contain vitamins. You're only increasing the mineral content of your tank.

Salt doesn't have any healing properties for amphibians. Salt baths only serve to kill fungus; they don't heal the animal. Salt can actually be rather irritating in higher concentrations.

It's more likely that your older individual has an underlying infection or parasite infestation, which is causing it to heal poorly.