Carlos @ River City Aquatics

[NaCl_H2O]

WOW :o I know who I am going to ask to babysit my tanks if ever needed! You are one dedicated fish owner! Sounds like your Hippo is doing great and the Yellow is accepting her (I think all Hippo's are "hers", to pretty to be a "He"!).

Try soaking some flakes or brine in a little Garlic extract (just a few drops) - it will tempt her to eat a little more. The faster she begins to be a pig, the better the chance she won't break out with Ich. And the tempting food will keep the Yellow's attention off her too.

[CD]

You are one dedicated fish owner!

Thank you. ;) What can I say? I just love all my babies...the fish, dogs, and parrots - Heh...I always told Chris we would be in real trouble if we lived out in the country. There would be critters everywhere!! :lol:

I think all Hippo's are "hers", to pretty to be a "He"!).

LOL - I'll have to agree with you there...I always referred to my first one as a "she". Cute little freckles and all. I like their eyes too - very expressive.

Garlic extract (just a few drops)

GaryP was putting this in the food he fed to his fish too. I should've written the brand down...is that something you can find at a LFS, or is it a "food grade" type garlic you can find at a grocery store? After the last Hippo, I wasn't too worried that it didn't eat on it's first full day - the other one didn't either, and she turned into a little piggie - she was *very* skinny when I got her. Thankfully, this new Hippo was fairly plump and healthy when I got her, so I'm hoping she will eat tomorrow, but I'd be interested in finding that garlic extract you mentioned. Ooooo...plus, the Ogo should be here tomorrow!!

Wendy

[NaCl_H2O]

It is called Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme, I just picked some up at Alamo Aquatics in SA, I'm sure a LFS in Austin will have some?

Lots of theroies on Garlic! Does it actually assist in the fishs health somehow, or does it just encourage better eating habits which in turn improves health?

Bottom line, it don't matter - either way it promotes healthier fish. Ich can be a big problem with Tangs, but Tangs don't "catch" Ick. Ick is a parasite that is ALWAYS present in ALL saltwater systems. When a fish is stressed, malnourished, or in poor water conditions, its natural ability to fight off the parisite is weakened and the ick "breakout" can happen in a matter of hours. Healthy, well fed fish, in a high quality environment DON'T GET ICK!

The Tang Heaven should also be a great food source to get your little buddies eating like pigs.

Good luck - I hope your jumping days are behind you!

[Tim Marvin]

H.E.B. fresh ground garlic in the jars. Use the juice on flake food and cloves in your food. My tangs love to eat little pieces of fresh garlic.

[CD]

Ick is a parasite that is ALWAYS present in ALL saltwater systems.

Yes, I remember reading that in one of our books. It doesn't seem to affect all new tang arrivals though. The first Hippo was pretty stressed when we got her, and had a small break-out of ick within a day...it went away pretty quickly though. The Yellow Tang never had any at all, and the new Hippo - even though I know it is still somewhat stressed, has not shown any signs of it yet. Weird.

I will check out both H.E.B. (as Tim recommended - Thanks, Tim!) and the Kent Marine. I have a feeling the HEB type will be less $$ though. Thanks for the info, guys!! ;)

Wendy

[CD]

Well I found some Garlic Xtreme at...you guessed it...River City Aquatics! I will give it a try in tomorrow morning's feeding, and hopefully the Hippo will take interest. This is the third full day we've had her, and she still hasn't eaten yet. I even put a clump of the Ogo in front of her...checked it out, but didn't even nibble. I wonder...if I tried soaking the Ogo in tank water laced with Garlic Xtreme, do ya'll think the Ogo would absorb the flavor? And if I'm putting it in the regular food I feed, should I not try soaking the Ogo too? ...IOW, can a fish OD on garlic?

Wendy

BTW- The store was *hoppin'* tonight! Had to track Carlos down so I could give him a big hug - whatta sweet guy!

[NaCl_H2O]

Take it easy with the garlic XTreme - open the bottle and take whif ... it is strong stuff :o

Take a pinch of flakes and put them in a small amount (tbs) of water from your tank and add 2-3 drops of Garlic. Let 'em sit for 30mins and dump flakes water & all into the tank. I also do this with Brine and Mysis shrimp

Don't know if the Ogo would absorb enough to make a difference? You can definately try - same method as for the flakes I would think???