Blub

Hello.

Well, I was doing my water change the other day, suddenly for no apparent reason, I looked over at my collection of Cacti and succulents on the windowsill. Now, I had my Stress coat bottole in my hand at the time, and made the connection... The same Aloe Vera I grow on my windowsill is an ingredient of Stress coat! So, you can guess where I'm going...

If your fish has some sort of fin-rot, do you think adding a small chunk of Aloe vera leaf would help out? Do you think it we diced it, the fish would eat it, and give them a physical benefit? I know it's very good for chickens to consume a little bit of aloe vera now and again, maybe the same is true with fish? This could be a useful way to help cure fin-rot, of help out fish who have nipped fins. Of course, 'dosing' a small amount every week may also bring out certain health benefits... What do you think?

Shawnie

well I know aloe plants are poisonous to children and animals if eaten...the yellow juices on the plants are harmful and it can irritate the intestines...so not really sure about fish...be interesting to see what others have said...

Blub

Really? There are lots of kinds of Aloe, I personnaly grow Aloe variegata and Aloe vera. I doubt it is poisonous to fish though, I use Stress cat as my primary water conditioner and that includes aloe juices. This is going to be an interesting one!

Lucy

I use Stress coat with aloe too but I would be wary of adding anything to the tank that was specifically marked for fish.
You'd have to be very careful of the concentrate.

Richard

You'd have to cut open an aloe 'leaf' to see the part that can be consumed by humans.. it's a slimy jelly-like substance that tastes quite bitter( yes I've had it before).. it's supposed to have all kinds of incredible medicinal properties, or so 'they' say in this part of the world.. as to whether or not any part of the aloe plant can be fed to fish, I've never heard of it being done, and wouldn't risk my fish trying it.. just my.

capekate

Hi Richard,
I have heard that from my grandson's paternal grandmother who is from Trinidad. She said that it helps with certain virus's and that coupled with a formula of some veggies, I think along with green peppers and something else, I cant remember what was a medicinal concoction going around awhile ago.
Aloe is a wonderful healing plant.. but I agree with the other posters that I would not use it on my fish.

COBettaCouple

I think the juice/nectar wouldn't be toxic but could be too strong for the fish, or could be ok.. i'm not sure really and wouldn't try it.

Chief_waterchanger

Fish would rarely get fin rot/other diseases in the first place if they were of a decent quality and maintained properly. For that reason I would have to do A LOT of research before trying something, even natural items, for suppliments/treatments when I've seen no scientific data, and would rather focus my time on maintaining a proper tank condition and focus on buying fish of a higher quality in the beginning.

(I hope that didn't sound condecending, but rather that it came across as a, "Instead of doing Option A (aloe/medicate) I would do Options B & C to avoid having to try option A.")

rileyrk190

I have had a Aloe vera drink before, from a chinese specialty store. It is really quite delicious, so i think depending on the aloe, it isnt poisonous.

Chief_waterchanger

We also consume chocolate which is poisonous to dogs. The same holds true for goats that eat poison ivy, oak, and sumac without having adverse reactions, where as 90% of the world's population would probably die if they consumed any real amount of poison oak, ivy, sumac.

Just stating the facts, rather than guessing with the lives of the ones unable to voice their opinions.

COBettaCouple

Some products for fish do have aloe vera in them, but definitely not the same as pure aloe vera nectar.. rather processed and combined with other ingredients to make a product safe for fish.

Blub

I had no idea you could eat it? Yum. Well, I might not try it - but it was a really good idea because a lot of UK betta come home with badly ripped fins. (Bad tetras, bad!)

COBettaCouple

Look for a place that you could order a Kordon product called Fish Protector. It's great for that.

rileyrk190

Good point! i didnt think of that

Blub

Maybe, not letting them eat it, but perhaps putting it in the filter (No fish tend to go in there!) with a fish who's been nipped could help them heal though?