My Betta and Melafix

[biondoa]

I know there has been much controversy about the use of Melafix and Pimafix for anabantoids. My male betta, Charlie, was suffering from what I think was fin and tail rot. It had gotten to the point that I thought desperate measures should be taken. His fins and tail were in shreds and seemed to be rotting away. He was listless. I thought he might die anyway, so decided to give the Melafix a try. I dosed appropriately for a week and a half, and I am happy to report that he is healed. His fins are not what they used to be, but he is lively again, and swimming around happily in his tank. I was really afraid to try this treatment, but now very glad that I did. I would like to hear some other opinions on using Melafix for bettas and other anabantoids.

 

[Windy]

I'm glad to hear your betta is doing great. I myself have used both when I kept bettas and their fins were rotting away. Both products did wonders without heavy chemicals in them. I would definitely recommend either product to someone who had a Betta with fin rot.

 

[Tifftastic]

I did a quick search for the use of these on bettas, as I've always been told that bettas are sensitive to them and should have a smaller dose. However, when searching I found the US patent that actually listed it as made for bettas, but suitable for other types of fish. So here is my thinking. With bettas typically kept in small bowls with no circulation and using their ability to breathe surface oxygen as means for, well, staying alive, I have a feeling that the recommendation of smaller doses for bettas is based on the fact that (if you've ever used the two on a non-circulated tank) use can increase surface tension when the doses get high. I bet the recommendation for lower doses is so that you don't suffocate your fish.
Its interesting to note that Melafix is made from Melaleuca leucadendra which is not the "tea tree" plant, but typically referred to as "cajuput or cajeput." The plant is native to the black waters of Indonesia, and (if I'm remembering right) there are species of anabantoids native to those waters as well. It wouldn't make sense for a fish to evolve in a region where plants leach a substance (essential oils are typically released from plants as secondary metabolites) into the water that is harmful to them. Just a thought and I may be entirely off base on that.

 

[henningc]

I've used both on my bettas, I place the betta in a 2gal and change water daily then dose. I have found that a little salt, like 1/8 tbs per 5gal and changing water every day gets rid of fin rot without meds unless it is crazy out of control.