An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an isoionic sodium chloride environment on mortality and recovery of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus affected with severe skin lesions of uncertain etiology. Fish were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Group 1 was maintained in de-chlorinated, aged tap water and Group 2 was maintained in identical water with the addition of 137 mEq/L NaCl. Mortality, lesion severity, hematocrit, plasma protein concentration and electrolyte concentrations were compared between the two groups over an 8 week period. Results suggest the sodium chloride aided the recovery of affected fish during the first two weeks of treatment but may be detrimental over a longer period.