Melafix: pros & cons..opinions/experience?

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Nora

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Feb 5, 2009
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Title pretty much says it. I've kept a few different tanks for several years, but without a whole lot of focus on the fish, mostly fancy guppies, some tetras. I've used Melafix a lot with turtles and had good results, guppies have responded well too. We're looking at adding some more fish and I'm trying to fill in the gaps in care issues before we get going. I'm pretty Tea Tree (melaluca alternafolia) dependent for anti-bacterial/anti-fungal issues - not just in the tanks but for the people as well (straight up Tea Tree there). Any opinions re: pros & cons?

I did try a few forum searches, mostly Melafix was just a blip - sorry if I missed it, any links appreciated.
 
I used it once. It didn't work to well for me and I think one of my tetras died because of it. I ended up having to treat the tank the old fashined way--with medications.
 
I've used it...
I don't know that it really makes that much of a difference over just doing extra water changes.
I probably wouldn't buy it again, as it's $$$ to use for a large tank, and anything I would treat with it, I probably wouldn't bother quarantining for, you know what I mean?
 
I've heard it can harm labyrinth fish like gouramis and bettas. Otherwise it seems benign enough. I've used it many times in the past but cannot say for sure it did any good.
If you have a full blown outbreak of something it will be to mild to help. If the problem is a frayed fin or something minor cropping up it may have some benefit.
 
Did nothing for me either.
I used treated foods. Worked great.
Had a fish with popeye, the food cleared it up in a week.

used nearly a whole bottle of melafix with no results.
 
have used it a few times and had really good results depending on the injury,.. at times the injury is too bad for the treatment but it helps keep secondary infection from occuring...
 
I just cured a very bad case of columnaris with 2 fish using melafix and aquarium salt.
 
I love it for treating smaller things like fin wounds that need a little extra help to ward off infections or for persistent fin rot. I don't think that it would be as effective for something more extreme like Ich.

I've used it with my puffer fish. Puffer don't have scales, just skin, so they are much more sensitive to poor water conditions and to medications. I've used it both during quarantining and for treating the ragged fins from shipping and "top dog" scuffles. Same thing for other fish like tetras and mollies.

Pros: Gentle. Natural antibacterial/antifungal.
Cons: Doesn't work as well on more invasive illnesses. Cannot use with labyrinth fish such as gouramis and bettas.

Btw, you can make your own 'melafix' at home using tea tree oil and water. You really, really have to shake it well to mix it and use as soon as you stop shaking because it will start to separate again (not that it goes bad, you'll just have to shake it up again). It's much cheaper, especially if you need large amounts. I can't remember the proportions for sure, but I think it was 1% tea tree oil to 99% water. I found it in the DIY section on www.thepufferforum.com last summer.
 
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