Melafix & Bettas

[ladynaoko]

I've heard a lot of contradicting opinions about using Melafix with Bettas.

I've heard Melafix is bad for Bettas and should be avoided/diluted and I've also heard that Bettas are fine using Melafix as directed.

I've been treating my community tank (which includes a Betta) with Melafix as my Betta's fins were damaged after being attacked by a gang of zebra danios (which have been taking back to the lfs). I'm currently adding slightly less melafix than is directed (only using half the suggested amount) and I was wondering if this is neccessary or if I should "fully" dose?

 

[noelberg]

Melafix had been working well for me lately, but the last time i used it my betta got melafix "burn" from it and i didn't overdose. Might be best to dilute it before adding it. A tiny bit of salt diluted in the water can work decently too if you're just looking at nips and tears.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Dilute,dilute,dilute...quite a bit.

I do not recommend melafix or bettafix at all but I understand that people use it with no problems.

 

[Pointy_kitty]

Melafix had been working well for me lately, but the last time i used it my betta got melafix "burn" from it and i didn't overdose. Might be best to dilute it before adding it. A tiny bit of salt diluted in the water can work decently too if you're just looking at nips and tears.

you should not use salt with corydoras
i never use it with ANY catfish
it may not harm them imediately but it will damage their internal organs over time, shortening their lifespan

as for the melafix
i have used it in tanks with bettas, in full dose and had no problems
and i have used it in diluted doses in bowls with bettas and had only success
so i would think it would be ok, but if some people have had problems then i would do a 2/3 dose in the tanks
better safe then sorry

 

[noelberg]

Sorry about that -didn't read the fish list before suggesting salt.

I just picked up some Kanacyn and will be interested to see if it works better than the melafix. Water changes and leaving my betta alone are currently curing the fin tear and the melafix burn ... however the fin is healing more slowly than when I used Melafix.