Ok..i'd Like To Start A Disscussion

[HayzH]

After panicing last night about how to save my fish i dosed with Melafix..

After some googling i am very uncertain of the use of this product.

As seen in nearly all forums/threads about this subject, Half say it's pefectly safe...and the other half say stay clear.

As we all know,this fish have to be ill or exposed to an illness in the first place, so the reasons some may die, is due to the illness itself NOT the meds.

But i have yet seen no ALTERNATIVE product that can be used..therefor forcing Aquarists to use this product.
I read on another forum, apost from a consultant at Mars (API) that the product have been widely tested with no reported problems. But others refuse to believe.

I dosed 5ml of Melafix last night diluted 1-5 drops with Tank water. Again my pessamystic side was prepared to see Jackson belly up this morning, but he's ok. He's does however look a bit stoned I do hope i've done the right thing.

Had anyone else used Melafix with their Labyrinth fish???

 

[sausagewinkle]

what are you treating for?? what illness?

 

[HayzH]

what are you treating for?? what illness?

columaris....2 other fish in the tank have symptoms..so i thought it best to treat whole tank

 

[sausagewinkle]

If it is coloumaris I would recommend using a bacterial treatment such as Myaxzin, I'm not a fan of melafix
Thats just my opinion though
Hope you get it sorted

 

[fishprotector]

I have used Melafix with Dwarf Gourami and my gf uses it with her Betta's. It is only tea tree oil so I do not see how it could cause too many problems. Yes it could change the water properties, but if you add an airstone it should not really reduce the level of oxygen too much.

 

[sausagewinkle]

Would melafix treat coloumaris?

 

[fishprotector]

Unlikely as it is a disease caused by a full internal bacterial infection. Myaxzin may work or failing that antibiotics. Hard to get in the UK though.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Personally, I'd only consider using products like Pimafix and Melafix to try and help fish heal from relatively minor wounds, before a bacterial infection sets in. Once I'm certain it is a bacterial issue, then something stronger is needed, for which Myxazin is a great broad spectrum treatment.

 

[nurglespuss]

There is currently some debate that 'herba' treatments such as Melafix (that I use too) may have adverse effects on gill and skin function, coating membranes etc. and preventing natural exchange (as mentioned recently in practical fish keeping).

However, like many thiungs out there, both sides are based on purely annecdotal evidence and individual experiences.

But I definately agree, if you have a bacterial/fungal/parasite problem, use a specific treatment designed for it. I keep melafix for helping with wound healing, fin damage etc.

 

[tmh0921]

No medicine or herbal, whether it's for people or animals, is 100% safe. It's all about weighing the benefits to the risks.

 

[Athena]

Personally, I'd only consider using products like Pimafix and Melafix to try and help fish heal from relatively minor wounds, before a bacterial infection sets in. Once I'm certain it is a bacterial issue, then something stronger is needed, for which Myxazin is a great broad spectrum treatment.

I agree with the above.

I have used Melafix for a male betta who had his fins ripped off by a female - he was almost knocking on deaths door but with daily water changes and a couple of drops of Melafix every few days, that betta made a full recovery and his finnage grew back over a couple of months. So the Melafix certainly did not cause him any adverse reaction.

I think if some people are a bit heavy-handed with the dosage/not measuring correctly, then it could cause irritation the same as it would if we were to get pure tea tree oil on our hands (I've done that accidentally and my hands itched for ages).

I wouldn't use Melafix for the more serious bacterial/fungal/parasitic problems. Myxazin is a really good anti-bac med but I'm not sure it can treat columnaris if it has reached the latter stages of the illness.

Also, apart from treating for this columnaris illness, you should also look for a cause of the disease. As you may know, columnaris is a contagious bacterial disease often brought on by stressful conditions such as overcrowding/incompatible tankmates, low oxygen levels, bullying, overfeeding etc

If the root cause of this illness is not corrected then it is likely to happen again.

Regards, Athena

 

[HayzH]

unfortunatly its all i had last night at hand to help the Platy's.
i recieved my Myxazin today. it only mentions fin rot and pop eye and bacteria?
the other platy now had scales hanging off his side? i have put the bubble wall on and Jackson loves it.

so is it bacterial??? or a parasite?

one platy had a cotton growth on his lip
the second now has scales hanging off.

someone must know.???

This is a newly cycled Tank and i have been checking water twice a day, if you see my Journal in my link. The water has been fine apart from one blip which i believe was due to overfeeding.
Why would overfeeding cause the Betta to gasp with a wide open mouth? Gills out like areoplane wings???

 

[tmh0921]

Columnaris can show those symptoms

 

[Louiseness]

Why would overfeeding cause the Betta to gasp with a wide open mouth? Gills out like areoplane wings???

Is he gasping or is he flaring? If he;s truly gasping I'd be tempted to say that's down to the addition of melafix. You are changing lots of water regularly, right?

 

[HayzH]

Why would overfeeding cause the Betta to gasp with a wide open mouth? Gills out like areoplane wings???

Is he gasping or is he flaring? If he;s truly gasping I'd be tempted to say that's down to the addition of melafix. You are changing lots of water regularly, right?

whats the difference...he like shudders afterwards, his mouth stays open for ages and the gills too. his breathing is at the rate of our heartbeat if that makes sense?
i also just googled flaring and all the betta on there dont open their mouths when they do it...Jackson looks like he's gagging ( a big longggg gag)