Melafix on Freshwater?

[rrdrummer5]

Ive noticed that everywhere online that melafix is located it says it is used for pond fish. It says nothing about using them on tropical fish. Can i?

I recently purchased 5 bala sharks and I came home today and the top of one's tail fin has been completely nipped off. He is about 2 inches long and im guessing it was my 6 inch tinfoil barb that nipped him. But it seems melafix would work great but I read something about them being really bad on bettas but havent really seen anything on use for tropical fish. Id like to get this guy fixed up before he catches anything. Any advice?

 

[Susielyd]

I remember seeing a thread that Bettamomma started about Melafix and her baby (betta that is). She said somehting about an overdose, but there was a whole heap of other stuff in there - maybe you could search somehow through the old threads with a keyword or somehting ? (not quite so internet savvy ) )
hth
susan

 

[rrdrummer5]

i tried that everything is about melafix and bettas. I dont have any bettas lol I just wnat to know if it works for tropical fish =\

 

[jimw13uk]

I've used melafix with no side effects on cichlids , guppies etc..
The only thing to be very careful of - Dont mix multiple treatments - I added melafix at my normal water change along with liquisil and stresscoat and had an massive problem within hours - the water was mud and i had to do an 80% change straight away and put all my fish into a hospital tank - never again - add them at different times

 

[Susielyd]

i tried that everything is about melafix and bettas. I dont have any bettas lol I just wnat to know if it works for tropical fish =\

oops )

well, yes then, it does work for tropicals in general. As jimw13uk said, be very careful mixing anything - but if you are putting nothing else in and follow the instructions it should be ok. My lfs say that they actually put a dose in every time they get a new shipment of fish.
yea, so give it a go I suppose and just watch how they are going (which I am sure you would.....)

 

[rrdrummer5]

Ok well when i got the fish I added a bunch of Tetra Brand Aquasafe. Its basically stress coat but also takes out chlorines and such. Would this be considered mixing?

 

[jimw13uk]

I mixed my treatments for a few days then had an adverse reaction when i included melafix so now I take out a large jug of water from the tank - add the melafix - stir it in for a minute then slowly poor it back in the tank making sure i spread it all over the tank

I woudl just keep melafix seperate - add on a different day so they all have chance to dissipate before the melafix

 

[Fiori]

Sarahbravo has recently posted an excellent table on how to use Melafix, Betafix etc and the amounts to use. Sorry I can't remember where!!

I've been using Melafix and still use my dechlorinator etc. at the same time, with no ill effects.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi rrdrummer5

MelaFix is a mild antibacterial agent that if use cautiously is safe for tropicals too.

In cases of finrot or bacterial infection, I have found that if it is going to be of help, some results will be seen within a day or two. If not, switch to something stronger.

You should use dechlorinator every time you do a water change, no matter what else you add. It is absolutely necessary unless that particular product includes its own. MelaFix does not.

If your fish just has an injury, you are using it to prevent an infection or a fungus setting in. Be sure to do water changes every day or two because having clean water is the most important single thing you can do to prevent them. Only add enough MelaFix to replace what was in the water you removed in order to avoid problems.

 

[rrdrummer5]

Alright well thanks everyone. I jsut bought some melafix today and just put it in my tank. I guess we will see if my bala's recover.

Also, which do you think is the agressor out of the fish I have listed in my signature?

 

[Raechal]

Alright well thanks everyone. I jsut bought some melafix today and just put it in my tank. I guess we will see if my bala's recover.

Also, which do you think is the agressor out of the fish I have listed in my signature?

The aggressive fish could be any of them really. They are kept in such a small tank. I hope you are going to upgrade your tank once these fish start to grow. The clowns can get up to a foot in length, the same as balas and they should be kept in atleast a 90 gallon tank.

 

[rrdrummer5]

i plan on upgrading to at least a 140 when the time comes Right now they are all pretty small

 

[_fish_a_holic_]

Here is SarahBravo's excellent take on Betta/Mela/Pond Fix... it even gives you recipes for making your own! I've had really good results with this stuff (now I can make my own cheaper thanks Sarah!!! )... and *giggle* it makes the aquarium room smell nice too, BONUS!