The secret power of garlic

[Riveravdub]

Do you guys ever feed your loaches fresh garlic. I was lucky to rehome some nice big loaches from a friend and got 2 big ones free. Well one was a little slim. So I bought fresh garlic and feed them. It was like a miracle they became more active and turned in to eat machines. All my other fish as well. I have a flag tail which was in rough shape ever since feeding the tank garlic 3 times a week it was amazing fins are growing back. I read up that garlic stimulates them to feed and also kills internal parasites and ick hates garlic. It's a win win. Just wanted share and see if anyone else uses this method

 

[RD.]

Garlic yes, fresh garlic, no. The problem with fresh garlic is the terrestrial based oil, fish don't tend to do well assimilating oils found in terrestrial based plant matter. In fact there have been studies done on marine species that were fed a fresh garlic mix in a feed trial that caused liver damage among the test subjects. Numerous studies with freshwater species fed terrestrial based plant matter have had the same results. I have been feeding pellets that contain garlic for approx. 15 yrs, but it's a small inclusion rate and in a dry form. (no oil)

I posted the following back in 2012

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/garlic-and-the-prevention-of-disease.458994/

HTH

 

[Riveravdub]

I have been doing for sometime and knock on wood they have been fine. They seem to love it and it's been boosting their appetite.

 

[RD.]

Yes well the problem is one cannot see liver damage by just looking at a fish.

If you can get the same results via a dry form of garlic, without the risk of terrestrial based plant fat/oil accumulation and damage, then why risk it? Your fish, your call, but from the research that I have done over the years it's too risky, especially when feeding 3 times a week, which would equate to 50% or more of the time for my fish. Good luck.

 

[Riveravdub]

Don't get me wrong I am taking the info you shared with me and I will look into it. I appreciate your info so thank you for sharing.