melafix 3 - disease 0
perfect!
I seriously advise the OP to do a simple google search of melafix and anabantids before deciding. I have a bunch of rescue dwarf gouramis that I've been caring for. I used a half dose of melafix on them initially and they rapidly showed signs that they didn't like it so I immediately removed them from it. I haven't used it since on them. I'm a big fan of melafix, but I wouldn't use it on my betta or on any of my gouramis again. It's an oil and it makes a slick on the surface of the water. Anabantid fish need to breath air at the surface. If something messes up their labyrinth organ they will die, no ifs ands or buts.
No offense to the other poster, but cichlids are not labyrinth organ fish (anabantids) so they don't apply. I've used melafix before on other fish (danios, cherry barbs and a red tail shark) and they seemed to love it. They bathe in it like it feels good or tastes good to them. My gourami rescue fish were already very ill, but they didn't seem to react well to it.
I have to fully agree with afremont here.
I have been using this to treat some fish now for the last week and i have had some really great results especially in healing wounds, i also added it to my main tank which had 4 dwarf gouramis in at the time, the problem is that it makes a oily film, and foam on the water surface, it could easily obstruct the gouramis from breathing, i think the reason they were ok is the fact that my main tank has a big surface area, and my filter breaks the water so its constantly on the move, However if i was treating the gouramis in my small hospital tank i think the story would of been very different, currently i am treating angels in there and when i add the melafix the surface is completely covered in bubbles/oil for hours, this would easily ruin the dwarf gouramis day.
Did you notice any behavioral changes in the DGs after adding the melafix? My fish immediately tried to avoid it in the water before it was dissipated, whereas all my other fish actively seek it out when I dump it in the tank. Then when I started reading all the stuff on the net about melafix and labyrinth fish I really got nervous about it. Given the design of the organ, it makes sense that coating the inside surface with oil might not be a good thing for keeping it working efficiently.
Don't get me wrong, I think its great stuff. It just doesn't seem to be "harmless" to labyrinth fish.
In the case of large sores, I'd be most inclined to get the fish out and put some iodine on it. Easier said than done though, I know. Also I can say this with total confidence, aquarium salt won't cause the fish any harm and it could help this fish in numerous ways.
