Gouramis -- Adding Aquarium Salt

Question
QUESTION: I have a 25-gal community tank set-up, with a few live plants and a collection of fish that include a smallish bala shark, 3 tetras, a small pleco, and four (different) gouramis.   I also had a small skunk loach, but had to remove it as it bullied everything in the tank.   I have NOT added any aquarium salt to my tank, but have noticed at the pet shop that they are now saying the gouramis require aquarium salt.  I know that salt can be hard on live plants, and the gouramis seem to be doing fine as they are.   How do you feel about the necessity of adding salt to the water, and if you feel it necessary, what quantity should be added.   Also, I wonder if you can help me identify my tetras.   They are a dark purple/black, with shiny gold noses.   Similiar in shape to a neon/cardinal.   Thanks for your help......Max

ANSWER: Hi Max,
The truth about salt is it is -not- needed to keep fish healthy. It can actually be quite unnatural to them and its really only best used as a treatment when your fish are sick. It can be great to inhibit parasites and bacterial infections. But keeping salt all the time in your tank is not necessary and may even cause any parasites or bacteria to build up a resistance to it. It's certainly not needed to keep gouramis healthy longterm. Much better to pay attention to keeping the water clean through lots of water changes and to keep it at the proper temperature. I know many souces say aquarium salt is absolutely a must, its been proven countless times that this is false.

I'll try my best to identify your tetras. I'll take a guess- 'Emperor Tetras' maybe? It might be kind of hard because there are several very similar tetras sold under that name.

I hope this helps, best wishes
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What do you think of adding Congo tetras to a community tank?   Can a single Congo be added, or do you need to add another one or two to the mix?   If two, is it best for a male and a female or two males?  

Do you know if adding water lettuce to a fish tank would be harmful?   These are most often used in outdoor fish ponds.    Thanks............Max

Answer
Hi Max,
Congo tetras are awesome fish... They can mix with larger community fish. You should really try to keep them in a group of at least 5 or more in large tank of around 36 inches, due to their active swimming nature and larger than average size. Its also best to not risk keeping them with fin-nipping fish like Tiger barbs or Red-eye tetras.
Males develop better colouration when kept in a group containing a number of female fish to display to also.

Water lettuce is fine to add to aquariums. It will most likely be appreciated by fish, plus it will help keep the water cleaner.  

As always, hope this helps!
Karen~