Iodine and Tangs

I read an article on another forum suggesting that Tangs need iodine and adding iodized salt was good for proper thyroid function. I haven't been doing this and wondered if you do?

Would there be enough added to better quality fish foods to make this unnecessary?

Not sure about that Betty. :dunno:

I don't add any salts personally aside from epsom "salt" to raise GH, which really isn't a salt.

Klaus, what you know bout this?

I only use sea salt at some occasions.
When I receive wild Tropheus, I add about 5-6 table spoons of sea salt to the water. Lake Tanganjika is very rich on minerals. I then slowly wean them off the salt by reducing the amount at every water change.
Plus I use sea salt to cure most ailments. It works great if you use it in connection with a temperature increase of a few degrees.
As you have probably noticed by now, I'm pretty old fashion and hate chemicals with a passion.
Never hared about the importance of iodine. Something to research.......

Well, I don't think I'll worry too much about it if you all haven't had any problems by not doing so.

The article is here: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/n_leleupi.php

This is the part about the iodine:
It's not uncommon for leleupi to develop goiter, which can easily be remedied and prevented by adding iodized table salt to the water. Believe it or not, Tanganyikan cichlids need iodine. In fact, Tetra Cichlid Vital - the water conditioner - is loaded with iodine. Iodine is required for proper thyroid function, which regulates growth and development in fish.

Good information...

I will check into it. I use table salt to treat illness.

I do not buy into the con by these people that say you have to pay a bunch of money for aquarium salt for tanks.

Some table salts use "yellow prussiate of soda" (sodium ferrocyanide decahydrate) as an anticaking agent. It's safe at higher ph but in acidic water the cyanide separates from the iron. Don't really think it's enough to hurt anything with as little as we use.
Not even sure if it's still used, been a long time since I've bought anything but pickling or sea salt.
I think most fish foods have plenty of iodine already in them.

Can you use the same sea salt that you get at the grocery store for salt grinders? I think I have some called Alessi...

football mom wrote:Can you use the same sea salt that you get at the grocery store for salt grinders? I think I have some called Alessi...

Not sure, I usually buy mine at the bulk store.

Jocelyn, I have used the sea salt from the grocery store, but I do get it in the bulk section. It's cheap that way.