Melafix = Ok for Catfish?

[Mulla]

Hi all,

To cut a long story short. A 3 spot gourami got himself stuck on a piece of driftwood and I had to push him out backwards (the way he came in). Which resulted in cuts along his body not severe but in enough places that I wanted to treat him with Melafix.

I think I'm just going to dose the whole tank since I don't want to try netting him out and stress him out anymore. I figured Melafix isn't a 'true' med anyway so it won't matter that much on the other fishes.

Now my question is. Can I use the full dose as specified on the bottle if I have pictus cats and upside down cats in there?

Thanks in advance.

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't add anything--just make sure the water is kept clean and treat only if you see signs of an infection, and then with antibiotics. There is little evidence to support the benefits of Melafix, and many claim that it's use resulted in low oxygen in the tank--much more stressful for the fish.

[LMOUTHBASS]

it is safe for catfish i have used it with pictus cats in the tank, as well as ottos and cory cats

[Mulla]

Now here's a dilemma. I suppose I'm at work now and I can't really do anything. I'll decide what to do after I get home tonight. Depending on his conditions.

He does look less 'red' today so hopefully he's already on this way to recovery :D

[dethjam316]

i've heard nothing but good things about melafix...what have you heard, OG? i'm curious, as i've used it in the past to treat torn fins in about 1/2 the dose it recommended. it also claims, on the label, that it is a cure for funguses or something.

[fishdude]

i had a paradise gourami do that and i had a neon blue gourami do that and both died within 2 days :(

[OrionGirl]

I've heard from numerous people who reported fish gasping at the surface following a melafix dose. Most of the claims for positive effects are suspect--no proof that Melafix actually did anything good, it's addition just didn't result in wide scale deaths.

[vance]

wow. i recently used melafixin my tank with a blue dempsy that had a small divot on his head. used it for a week and it got better.it wasnt clearing up on its own. i have both cories and ottos in this tank and they did all right. but if this stuff isnt good like orion girl says i dont think ill use it again. its vile smelling stuff anyway.

[dethjam316]

haha, i think it smells kinda nice. the fins on the fish i used it on healed up nicely. it's kind of hard to test in the confines of an apartment, but if you had a few fish that had injuries, you could do an experiment with it. of course, you'd have to have several injured fish. that's the downside.

[Mulla]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences.

My experience with Melafix has been neutral to positive. I've used it on serveral occassions in the past but on none of the occassion did my fish gasp for air at the top. Maybe they were not very 'sensitive' fishes that I have :confused:

Once I used Melafix for 3 weeks on a fish with a little bit of a missing fin. It didn't to any good during the 3 weeks.

On other times the fish usually heal up within the 7 day or 14 days of treatment. Maybe they are healing on their own or maybe through the treatment, that I don't know.

Can't wait till I get home and check him out. Hope he's still doing alright.


Thanks.

[750t]

I bought some melafix along time ago just in case. I had never tried it. Now about a month ago my convict got some scratches from some rocks(being chased by my jd). Three weeks of water chages every 5 days, it wasnt healing. I put in 75% of a full dose in seven days it looked much better. I did a large water change and he looks fine.
I was paranoid about using it so I watched the fish very closley. Everything was or appeared to be ok.
Would i use again.. Yes.
But the vicks smell Ugh

[Raithan Ellis]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
I've heard from numerous people who reported fish gasping at the surface following a melafix dose. Most of the claims for positive effects are suspect--no proof that Melafix actually did anything good, it's addition just didn't result in wide scale deaths.

Welp, this post got me interested, as I've seen lots shady advice being thrown about as of late. :rolleyes:

Just cracked out my Lamotte dissolved oxy test, and the oxygen levels are around 110% in a planted tank I've been dosing Melafix in for the past 3 days. In the past I've had average readings just below that mark.

On many occasions in my experience, tea tree oil does help. Last week one of my altums had a torn dorsal fin. I did a water change and allowed it to heal for four days on it's own, little progress has been made (about 1/2" healed), three days of dosing Melafix and it's healed all but the last 1/4" of the 2" tear. Now going on day three, should be all healed by tomorrow. When a chance presents itself to do a side-by-side comparison, I'll be sure to compare results and post them here.

Now, I have seen gasping on occasion when using the consumer strength stuff in the small blue bottles. However, never have I experienced it with the professional/pond strength which I currently use (5ml per 50g). As far as the gasping was concerned, in my experience, it seemed likely to be caused by the sensation from the oils, much as we would experience with Vick's Vaporub.

Cheers,
Raithan O. Ellis

[Mulla]

First of all a bit thank you again for sharing your experiences.

Last night I did use a full dose of Melafix after going home. (A sucker for adding meds, tho trying hard to stop it).

He seemed to be doing better this morning. Unfortunately, I have to leave today for 4 days to a staff conference. So I can't monitor the progress. Left the Mrs in charge hope she doesn't forget the Melafix and DuplaPlant24 :rolleyes: