Scientific Data with Garlic?
- Thread starter PoggiPJ
- Start date
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Excellent question! I'll be following along.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
My comments here are purely anecdotal at this time , defeating the purpose of this long over-due (IMO) discussion. I have seen, and will try to find, a study that seemed to validate the idea that garlic (in pure form, or some part of the garlic) stimulated the appetite in SW fish, and thus, helped the fish's immune system.. I can't imagine the how this data could be collected in any scientific form. The finding certainly isn't surprising; almost all pet foods contain garlic. IMO, the Folk Lore took over from there and now garlic is said to do everything. I am not in the group that believes that, but try to keep an open mind and would love to see some real studies. When I hear someone tell a hobbyist with a very sick fish, to "feed garlic", I cringe. I'll dig around and ask some folks who should know the real poop on any real documentation of miracle garlic. Thanks for bring it up; I love controversial topics from time to time.
EDIT: I think this article contains the questionable study I referred to above:http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php
EDIT: I think this article contains the questionable study I referred to above:http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php
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OK, here's my two or three cents:
Personally, I've heard/read two competing theories on garlic: 1) It stimulates a fish's appetite, and thus, helps to naturally bolster the fish's immune system. 2) Garlic seeps back out through a fish's pores and onto the skin, making it an undesirable host for Ich/parasites/diseases.
Both theories seem logical to me, esp the 2nd one. If you've ever been around someone who eats lots of garlic, it's enough to drive anything off. I use garlic from time to time, but just for the hell of it. Honestly, I've never cured a fish of Ich using just garlic. I might start with garlic but it always ends with copper, for better or for worse.
The bottom line is this: While garlic might not help, I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt. So while I don't advocate putting all your stock in it, if it seems to work for you, keep right on using it!
Personally, I've heard/read two competing theories on garlic: 1) It stimulates a fish's appetite, and thus, helps to naturally bolster the fish's immune system. 2) Garlic seeps back out through a fish's pores and onto the skin, making it an undesirable host for Ich/parasites/diseases.
Both theories seem logical to me, esp the 2nd one. If you've ever been around someone who eats lots of garlic, it's enough to drive anything off. I use garlic from time to time, but just for the hell of it. Honestly, I've never cured a fish of Ich using just garlic. I might start with garlic but it always ends with copper, for better or for worse.
The bottom line is this: While garlic might not help, I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt. So while I don't advocate putting all your stock in it, if it seems to work for you, keep right on using it!
MrTuskfish
Team RC
There are a couple of the pretend "reef-safe" parasite cures that are nothing more than a pepper sauce. I suppose that is similar to the garlic smell theory. IMO & IME; neither work.
I think garlic; like UV, cleaner shrimp, etc., can hurt the fish's chances of survival because they give the hobbyist a temporary false sense of security and delay real treatment. There are some very good hobbyists (IMO) who are real believers in garlic; maybe there on to something. But if this were the case, there would be scientific studies all over the place and garlic-based meds would be patented & promoted by the industry. This isn't the case..
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