pearlscale butterfly question

[markak15]

recently picked up one of these guys and he seems to be doing great. however, all he wants to eat is the algae growing on some of the rocks/glass. I read that they eat "meaty" foods like mysis but he doesn't show any interest. anyone else have experience with this fish?

[Casey]

Put some garlic in the water to make him hungry you got to get him eating our he will wither away make some blender mush and try that.

[markak15]

when you say garlic...should I soak his food in water with garlic powder? should I just throw a clove of garlic in the water? I've never had to use garlic (most of my fish are pigs) so I have no idea what the sop is.

[Cosine]

you use the juice from garlic
you can squish a clove or there are products available such as
kent garlic extreme

[Casey]

Put some in the water and some on his food

[markak15]

well I tried the garlic thing and it didn't make any difference. all I succeeded in doing is overfeeding my other fish. like I said, he looks great but I've only had him a week. maybe he will start eating when the algae is gone.

[Casey]

your not giving the garlic a fair chance they can smell it and it helps make them hungry the same way it does humans it also helps with ich if he eats it you have to get him to eat or I promise you he will die the algae will not sustain him,please be patient and dont give up on the garlic keep trying different foods

maybe get some live brine or black worms you have to be patient and not give up and maybe he will start to eat and do good for you good luck.

[unleashed]

I use a frozen food which is algae based its called emerald entrese .thsi food is for all types of fish algae based for herbavours and mysis shrimp and other meaty foods for omnivours.even my lionfish will eat it.as far as the garlic goes I prefer the garlic extreme suppliment to boost imune systems 2 drops per feeding in the food as i thaw it.more that 2 drops per will confuse the fishes and may make fish less likely to eat at that time(this is stated on the bottle).I found that mixing different types of food into one batch the fish will get their required diet.

[VWD]

Most thing in the market for reef tanks are junk. But as far as kent garlic extreme. I find that to be very good. I put a few drops on the froen food for awhlie then drop it in.Everything goes nuts.

[Casey]

I agree and the Kent marine Vitamin C is great for fin damage to help regrow.

[markak15]

he FINALLY ate. thanks casey for telling me not to give up on the garlic....it took mysis soaked for about 8 hours in some water with garlic to finally get him interested...the whole house REEKS of garlic. he is chowing down now. i'm going out of town for a few days so I am quite relievied. thanks!

[Casey]

Alright! sweet

[Cosine]

awesome... pics??