Mebbid
Aquarium Advice Addict
The point I'm making is Corydoras have been collected in higher salinity area's of many rivers and the reason for my response was that people state they are "intolerant" which simply isn't true. I would not recommend continued exposure to high amounts but when treating a parasite such as Ichthyophthirius high amounts of salt are not harmful and are very well "tolerated".
Definition of Intolerant...
Intolerant | Definition of intolerant by Merriam-Webster
It is a myth that salt cannot be used on this species of fish as a means of parasite medication. Salt can be added to the water of the Corydoras catfish in order to rid the fish of ich.
Taken from;
https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Corydoras
Not exactly the end all be all but is a link that confirms the comment made by Hukit.
Cories don't like salt and I would never use salt propholatically on any of my fish,
But for treatment it is fine IMO .
There are sooo many "myths" or things we do(I know thing I do),
Just because it is what we do?
Sometimes way back there ,there is a reason(wish I knew them all,but....)
The problem with wikipedia, is that using it as a source is exactly the same as me saying "this guy told me once that it's a myth"
Take a look here: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/corydoras-genus
Skeptical Aquarist said:Cories are sensitive to medication. Years ago, when tests were done to test the salt-tolerance of freshwater fishes, Corydoras died first. Malachite green will poison Cories before any other fishes are affected; it took me years to learn never to use Malachite green on a Cory cat. I pass this on to you.
Does it mean that link is right? Nope, especially since the studies that were quoted weren't cited. It's still quite a bit more reliable than wikipedia.
I have found no real scientifically done testing of salinity tolerance of cory catfish. (If you know of some, please share) With that exact statement in mind and the pervading belief that cory cats shouldn't be exposed to salt then why risk it? Even if there are no acute signs and symptoms of salinity problems with the fish, do we know for certain that there are no long term health problems related to it.
Imho, ich is far far too simple to treat with nothing but heat. There's no real reason to even bother with salt if the fish can tolerate the heat.
To the OP: If your heater can't maintain a heat of 86 degrees, then I would highly recommend upgrading your heater.