Melafix

[vtfish]

What are peoples experience with Melafix?

[pinballqueen]

I used it when my oranda got tail rot. It seemed like it helped speed up the healing process... I'm pretty sure it's the fishy version of bactine. The fish acted like it stung a little and then it was fine. Boy, does that stuff smell nice! (I think it's a love it or hate it thing, though...) It causes foam on top of your water, so don't be alarmed...

My vote? It's a good thing to have in your fishy medicine cabinet.

[gcvt]

Most recently, I used Melafix to cure fin rot and open wounds on a Tiger barb. I had him alone in a 10g hospital tank for about 12 days and the medication worked very well. And, as pinballqueen points out, the stuff smells great! http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/otn/puke/barfy.gif

If I didn't have so many lfs so close by, I'd probably have a bottle on hand at all times too.

[Orbitorly]

The stuff works great. But It smells terrible

[Sumpin'fishy]

Definately a handy mild antibiotic/fish remedy. It's all natural and can be mixed with medicine. It also has melaleuca plant extract which acts like aloe for fish. I've used repeatedly during my experience in this hobby. It has always proved adequate.

One note I'd like to point out though......use the pond bottle. They both have the same stuff just it's more watered down in the aquarium bottle. I guess it's fine if you own small aquariums, but I have a 55 gal and I use the pond bottle. One cap of this mix is good per 50 gallons. I believe the aquarium bottle is only good for 10 gallons per cap.....but SAME PRICE! Save yourself some money.

[Darkangel]

I have used it before and it worked great. What you must realize is that it is no wonder drug, actually not a drug at all, but it does work for what it is intended for. I kinda think it is like aloe vera for fish. Keep this in mind when treating fish with it.

[Orbitorly]

My mom uses it alot, she's the "natrual" medicine ect,. freak.

[MP]

I think it's worthless.

I've never seen any difference in healing when fish is placed in clean water and stressless environment vs. the same plus Melafix. Both approaches give similar results. I tried it on fish with wounds (due to trauma), fin rot, and fungal growth. Waste of money.

[TJcanada]

I tend to agree with MP.
Althought I think it does have it's "place", it's becoming over used/misused and that's not a good thing imo. I can't believe people recommend it as an ICH cure!
Do realize that as with anything "natural or un-natural" that you place into your tanks - it can act as an irritant to your fish. I don't like Melafix, and I won't add it to the tank water(anymore). My fish act very strange when it's added to the water, an I've found it causes them to produce excess slime(mucus) - which sometimes can be a good thing - but not in the gill area. If anything, it could be used as a topical treatment for minor scuffs/cuts- and even then only sparingly - I've seen better results this way. It's antibacterial properties are limited, especially if mixed with water(in your tank).
Like MP says, there's nothing better than very good clean water to help keep your fish healthy and/or get them back to good health.

Besides, Melafix "stinks"...*not my choice of perfume*;)

[JSchmidt]

I've used Melafix and I believe it is useful in speeding the healing of external wounds and some types of infections. It's hard to make strong statements for or against, because my experience (like others) is pretty much anecdotal and not base on controlled experiments.

I tend to be skeptical of the usefulness of many meds and I generally don't use them, but I have african cichlids that regularly get beat up and Melafix seems to speed healing pretty substantially in my fish with external wounds.

Jim

[shmeeb001]

i use it to help with wounds, but truth be told, i'm not really sure about the stuff one way or another. i certainly never use it to cure diseases.