Melafix help

So after we got home from Easter dinner we realized there's been some Whitney Houston/Bobby Brown action going on in the Festae tank. She isn't horribly beat up, just some fin splits and it looks like her side's have been scraped. One side looks fuzzy and I want to minimize the possibility of infection. What do you guys think about Melafix for treatment? I've read pros and cons, but a little advice would be appreciated. They are currently separated, she's more active today but still skittish. If anyone has any info on what a good treatment would be, or if she should be fine without any additives that would be awesome! Thanks!

Tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons will usually ward off infection and activate extra slime coat production to help heal the wounds.

In my experience Melafix has never helped any fish I have tested it on. Admittedly I've only tested it in about 5 scenarios. However I've never noticed help from it. I can't bring myself to sell the product cause I can't see any benefit in it yet. Even though there is a high demand for it due to the presence of it online and the "it can't hurt" attitude.

Thanks Cory! I'll give the salt a try. I've never used the Melafix either, but you see it everywhere.

Ive had better success with the PimaFix with fin regeneration. I do notice that oxygen levels seem lower with the use of these products. I always like to add an air pump and air stones during treatment.

PimaFix and MelaFix are sometimes thought of as the more 'natural' way of healing as opposed to medications. So they are often looked at as not working. I have to admit if it is a serious issue, I would not use this because I have not seen results.

I agree with Cory on the salt, it is cheaper than these treatments and seems more effective.

I don't think it's too serious, she's eating and swimming around, I think it's more superficial. I just wanted to avoid any infection. I hate how they get along fine then BAM!  Fight Night! I added some salt, I'll just give them some alone time until she's healed up.

I use melafix and pimafix when needed..... But my first go to is salt. And I agree with dmd the "fix" products do suck oxygen out of the tank.

The best thing you can do is keep the water clean, melafix is worthless

Madness wrote:The best thing you can do is keep the water clean, melafix is worthless

  

+1 on the salt and clean water. melafix has worked well for me on fungus but that's about it. you need to add extra air stones or sponge filters though because it does take oxygen out of the water. i've never had problems with it but i have heard of others who have that didn't have enough surface agitation with a regular filter.

The best thing you can do is keep the water clean, melafix is worthless

Hi All,

I will respectfully disagree with the above statement; I have used Melafix on a couple of occasions with excellent success. I found that first doing a water change before treatment and carefully following the instructions including 'shaking well before dosing' and doing the '25% water change after 7 days and continuing treatment' helped the success rate.

One of the most stunning successes I experienced was a Corydoras that was literally being 'eaten alive' by a fungus infection that I believe started on a wound by an Apistogramma; the poor Cory was white with fungus inside and out. I dosed the fish 'in situ' with Melafix per the instructions and to my amazement the fungus was gone in 10 days. That Cory is still alive and doing well today.

Madness wrote:The best thing you can do is keep the water clean, melafix is worthless

I would also agree with this. The healing powers of fresh water cant be explained enough. Being a specialist on fish diseases and conditons Ive seen so many anecdotal comments on the use of Melafix and Pimafix. No real proven science has been performed showing this healing power. Alot of what happens is we do the water changes and we do the right things along with using a product like this and its the things we did that made the difference not the product being used. Both of these products are the equvilent of using bactine on a cut for yourself at best. Nothing youd ever want to use on anything serious. Most people dont even understand that melafix is gram positive in action while most infections or issues are indeed gram negative. Unfortunantly its in the best interest of companies to provide products to make money from. Not always in the best of needs for the creatures we keep. I know I know There are some that swear by it and say its worked miracles. Again see my statement on this above on what the more important things that were done. Same can be said with Salt. But most people dont understand what Salt does and adds stress to freshwater fish. Proper diagnosis and treatment is important. medications and treatments do have their needs But in the case of the OP the best thing is the wonderful healing powers of lots of great fresh water changes.

I have to agree with madness & Conway.. I have used it in the past with out much fanfare. Several Fresh water changes bring in minerals and definitely helps fish stressed out or injured fish so they can heal. Medications should be used only where necessary and as Conway stated you need to identify what the fish has (gram negative or not) and treat accordingly.

ConStevens AquaSuppSys wrote:

Madness wrote:The best thing you can do is keep the water clean, melafix is worthless

I would also agree with this. The healing powers of fresh water cant be explained enough. Being a specialist on fish diseases and conditons Ive seen so many anecdotal comments on the use of Melafix and Pimafix. No real proven science has been performed showing this healing power. Alot of what happens is we do the water changes and we do the right things along with using a product like this and its the things we did that made the difference not the product being used. Both of these products are the equvilent of using bactine on a cut for yourself at best. Nothing youd ever want to use on anything serious. Most people dont even understand that melafix is gram positive in action while most infections or issues are indeed gram negative. Unfortunantly its in the best interest of companies to provide products to make money from. Not always in the best of needs for the creatures we keep. I know I know There are some that swear by it and say its worked miracles. Again see my statement on this above on what the more important things that were done.  Same can be said with Salt. But most people dont understand what Salt does and adds stress to freshwater fish. Proper diagnosis and treatment is important. medications and treatments do have their needs But in the case of the OP the best thing is the wonderful healing powers of lots of great fresh water changes.  

Thanks Conway very well said. It is usually the repeated water changes that heal the fish, not the "whatever" is in Melafix. Here is a great post on in a salt water forum.
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Thanks everyone. I did salt yesterday and did a 25% change today. She's looking better.

When my dovii female got beaten up by her boyfriend, i put her in tank dosed with maracyn, salt, malachite green(compromised immune system). I performed 15% water changes every day. She went from completely covered in some white fungus/mold to healthy and chipper. I cant say what was the fix with 100% certainty. But the way i figure it, it probably cant hurt right? The aqaurium hobby is a funny one. I mean how many hobbies will have out buying such super common items such as sand or rocks? If using melafix makes you feel better then go for it. To me its no different than common cold medication. It likely doesn't treat anything but makes you feel better. Keep us updated

I've been keeping the water clean with small water changes, the moldy looking stuff passed and now she had a small bald spot that's healing up pretty nice. She was going over to his side of the tank and hanging out, but I'm pretty sure they spawned and now she's exiled again. Weirdos. She is definitely looking better though.