Been a little confused about the difference in effects of Epsom Salt (MgSO4) vs Aquarium Salt (NaCl). Both are salts... ionic compounds. I've heard all over the internet that epsom salt draws out excess fluids from fish, and thus used to treat dropsy, bloat, constipation, prolapsed rectum, etc. I've also heard you don't want to use aquarium salt for those same ailments because somehow aquarium salt makes the fish retain more fluids.
In humans, both epsom salt and normal salt (NaCl) relieve constipation by preventing the intestines from drawing out water from your poop, making your poop moist and stimulating bowel movement. Normal salt is used to dehydrate meat for jerky, etc.
Can someone please explain to me why aquarium salt would make fish retain more fluid? Due to reverse osmosis, wouldn't ANY salt... whether or not it's epsom salt or aquarium salt... draw water out of the fish due to the difference in salt concentration inside the fish vs outside the fish? How is there any mechanistic difference between the Mg2+ vs Na+ ions in terms of drawing fluids out of the fish? Perhaps I'm missing some kind of biological reason, such that the body of fish behaves differently with those two ions.
In humans, both epsom salt and normal salt (NaCl) relieve constipation by preventing the intestines from drawing out water from your poop, making your poop moist and stimulating bowel movement. Normal salt is used to dehydrate meat for jerky, etc.
Can someone please explain to me why aquarium salt would make fish retain more fluid? Due to reverse osmosis, wouldn't ANY salt... whether or not it's epsom salt or aquarium salt... draw water out of the fish due to the difference in salt concentration inside the fish vs outside the fish? How is there any mechanistic difference between the Mg2+ vs Na+ ions in terms of drawing fluids out of the fish? Perhaps I'm missing some kind of biological reason, such that the body of fish behaves differently with those two ions.
