OK, the staement 'salt will activate the production of slime'. Is it because the fish reads the extra salt percentage as a irritant? Is it because the osmoregulation balance has been changed?
Another idea or concept that I can't figure out is 'salt strips the slime coat off' or "salt burns off the older layer'.
A freshwater fish's osmoregulation provides a selective interface to maintain internal/external ionic balance. Fish constantly urinate as their bodies are 'saltier' than the water around them. The slime helps keep the balance. Now, why is adding more salt in the water going to 'strip off the slime coat'? You would think the fish would enjoy the fact it doesn't have to urinate every 5 minutes.
