First of all, let me say "HI". I've been lurking for a couple of days, and this looks like a fun place to hang out for a while...

I bought a hippo tang (1") for my reef a couple of weeks ago. I was at the LFS when they brought the shipment in, and took the little guy home in the shipping bag (no sense in aclimating him twice).

When I got home I decided to skip the q tank and put him directly into my reef (along with 2 huge clumps of carlupa for the munchies). I was hoping that by getting him out of the stressful environment into his permanent home he would not have any problems. There's no agression in the tank (2 firefish, mandarin, cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp, cleanup crew), and the water parameters were great, but about a week ago, he started getting spots.

The cleaner shrimp so far has been ignoring him, so I started treating with garlic (for the first time) on Monday. Tuesday, he was flashing pretty badly (and I was kicking myself), but Yesterday he was clear, and I didn't see him flashing at all! So far garlic oil seems to be doing the job...

Welcome Chessman, This is great news, i really wanted a hippo for my reef too but my LFS doesn't sell them becuase of the risks[img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img], so i defected and went to another place and the guy they warned me off puting one in too[img]/ubb/eek.gif[/img].

Anyhoo, what type of garlic did you use, how did you administer it? I don't think the use of garlic is to well known over here in the UK and i would be interested in your input.

------------------
"Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals. Except the weasel." - Homer Simpson

Hia Doh. This little guy has captured my wife's heart. He has already become her favorite fish... she calls him "Baby Blue" (none of the others are named [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]).

As for the garlic. I went to the store and picked up a bottle of "Garlic Juice". It was found in the spice section. To administer, I pour about 1/2 tsp over frozen brine and let sit for about 1/2 hour (I stir it a couple of times). Then add some tank water and fee the tank. The other fish eat it fine (actually, I honestly think they like it better), and my corals don't mind it at all.

I've also heard of people mincing fresh garlic cloves and feeding these along with brine (kinda same routine that I used, I guess).

The theory is that the garlic is excreted through the pores and drives the parasites off the fish, leaving them hostless. I've been using the same thing (but garlic powder instead) with my dog for years, and it works for fleas too.

I intend to keep feeding the garlic once daily for the next week or so, then drop to every other day for the next 3 weeks.

I'm actually glad to here of the fussy stores you're dealing with. Too often LFSs are more interested in making a buck than caring for their livestock, and will sell anyone anything. I wouldn't necessarily defect for that reason, it's a sign that you've may have found a decent, caring store, and that's all to rare in our hobby.

Garlic Juice eh? I shall see if i can find some just in case.

Oh it was only a tempory defection i.e. that afternoon[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]. I hear where your coming from on this LFS thing, these both good LFS's the main one i go to are like mates. He would have probably got me one if i'd have asked. After both LFS's advised against it i decided i have a rethink of my stock plan. Unfortunately there are quite a few stores round here that will sell you anything you want and let you put in anything and won't even ask you a single question about your setup as long as they get the cash! sickening[img]/ubb/mad.gif[/img]



------------------
"Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals. Except the weasel." - Homer Simpson

Hey everyone I too am trying the garlic juice trick right now with my 2 prc's yellow tang and 2 chromis..Dan

Good luck Bamm Bamm.. Hope everything works out for you..

McCormick Garlic Juice. Spice section of Wal-Mart $3.69. Works great! I just mix it with all my food. The best thing, if my reef was ever attacked by vampires....

------------------
Jim - GO HOGS GO!

Visit My Reef Tank

Guys,
be sure you use water soluble garlic (not garlic oil), since oil WILL interfere with the skimming.

A water soluble garlic product is called "Kyolic", sold at GNC and that kind of stores, I think it's like $11 or so.

No scientific research has been done about garlic ant it's effects, one theory is the one stated above (as in the dog/fleas case) as Mike Paletta said it, the other one is that garlic increases the mucus on the protective slimecoat on the fish (don't remember what author said it)

At www.ecosystemaquarium.com (the same people that sell the "magic mud"), Leng Sy sells a new product called "Garlic Elixir".

The brochure I have reads: "Garlic Elixir is a blend of garlic extract and vitamins."

Joaco

------------------
My webpage Updated 3rd July 2000

Do you think the elixer with vitamins would be better than the Kyolic? Also, you are so right about the skimming trouble with the oil. I had to use the oil for a day, I never got the oil floating on the top in the tank, but the next day I noticed my tank water was getting cloudy looking. I checked the 2 overflow filters and what a mess!! The oil had gathered there. I had to clean the filters every 30 minutes for what seemed like hours, but I didn't want the oil to get into the UV light. Fish look a lot better after using it though, but I do know that the oil is not a cure.

This whole garlic thing has been interesting to me for about 6 monthes now, so I started doing some experiments with it. I have found that Kyolic Liquid Garlic works the best. But it will throw your skimmer off.

Other than that remember, using garlic only removes Ick from the fish, not the tank. I have found that if it is used in the tank, once use is stopped ick will return. I have been messing around with cleaner shrimp and debris eat critters. I can't say anything about that yet.

I think garlic would be wonderful in a hospital tank, but as for a main tank, I just don't know yet.

Another experience I had with this is a bubble coral closed after I added the garlic.

I hope this will help or just get you thinking

Ash, I don't know, the product is new and I didn't hear any feedback yet.

Guys,
remember to fight back the CAUSE of problems. In the case of ICH the cause is stress, simple as that.
Stress reduces the immune system of the fish, also reducing the protective mucus slimecoat on the skin and that is what gives the parasites a chance.

Remove the cause of stress and you won't face ICH outbreaks at all [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

As a sidenote, garlic can be dangerous in case the fish has internal infections (garlic is a strong substance, bad on wounds)

Joaco


------------------
My webpage Updated 3rd July 2000

I agree that garlic is not a cure for ich. I know the source of the stress for my hippo - adding him to my tank. I kind of expected him to have an outbreak, as these fish are prone.

I had hoped that by picking him up directly from shipping and putting him in my display tank immediatley, I would avoid this. No such luck [img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img].