Salt is an all inclusive term that refers to thousands of different chemical compounds. If you area asking do I use Sodium chloride in my cichlids, no. Calcium carbonate, magnesium and potassium yes. I believe sodium chloride in of itself really doesn't do much for fish.
When ever the subject comes up about additives to freshwater fish tanks, I immediately think of all the mud bottom ponds in Florida where they grow out fish and I find it hard to believe they use salt in them. Just my opinion.
I don't use any additives, but that's mainly because we're well water and I know I've lots of natural minerals disloved in my water and the cichlids seem to thrive in it so I'm not going to mess with a good thing!
I use Seachem Lake salt for my Africans to make sure the water is hard enough and API aquarium salt for the discus tank. I use marine salt for treatment tanks.
very rarely... I have been known too, if I notice anything funny... but honestly, it has been probably 3 years since I last used any... haven't noticed any need to.
I use Espom "salt" for GH and baking soda for KH which I don't consider "salt". I don't use any marine salt, non iodized table salt, aquarium salt, sea salt etc. Not even for sick fishies. I voted no, but I do like salt on my fries!!!