Melafix alert

I'm not sure if anyone has already done so, but based on the posted alert on Melafix & it's effect on labyrith fish I sent an email to Aquarium Pharmaceuticals questioning them on the effect on labyrinth fish, and their recommended dosage. If I ever get a reply I'll post it.

 

They are not likely to tell you that it is bad for the fish and to keep using it. It is something that experienced fish keepers have found on their own. If you choose to use it at all you will have to take the risk. It is the ingredients and the concentration of it that causes the problem for the Labyrinth organ and they are not likely to say that there is a thing wrong as it will decrease the sales of the product. We have lost fish as have fish keepers on other sites and are trying to keep others from making this mistake.

Where Pimafix is concerned, it contains clove oil which is an anesthetic and euthanizing agent to fish. This is why I do not any longer recommend its use on any fish, but again it is your choice as to whether you use it on your fish.

Rose

 

HI Rose. I really don't expect a reply admitting their Melafix could kill certain types of fish - that would make them liable for damages. But, I thought that if their knowledge of the problem leads to them revising their directions in the future to include a comment about a lower dosage rate for certain types of fish that the email was worth sending. I've seen similar comments on some fish medications about using lower doses for tetras, etc.

It's probably a lost cause but worth an attempt anyway. If they're really concerned about the fish they're selling products for, more than the sales dollar, they'll at least hopefully investigate it.

 

I am just concerned that they may recommend the use at a lower dosage and cause more deaths. It is not worth the risk when there are other safer medications that can be used in my opinion that do not have the dangers nor have they caused the deaths that this medication has. I would hate to see people risk their fish once again. There are fish that Melafix CAN be used with but the ones that have had problems with it are deathly affected with it and it can happen with the first use or with the fiftieth. You just do not know. It is not a pleasant death and that I know from personal experience.

Rose

 

I totally agree that it's best to err on the side of safety. But, we have to keep in mind that the most successful medications, whether for fish or humans, are often based on toxic and poisonus substances. That's why drugs come with directions for proper use. Almost any drug, even over the counter drugs for people, can make us sick or even cause death if dosages are exceeded. It's the same for fish meds. What's toxic to the bacteria, parasites and fungI that we're trying to kill, can also kill the fish we're trying to cure, if used improperly.

We, and I'm guessing fish as well, can also be sensitized to certain substances. Some substances that initially cause no ill effects, can sensitize organisms after repeated exposures, and the effects can be deadly. That may be the case with Melafix and the labyrinth fishes dying after repeated treatments with it. In any event I agree with you that it's obvious that the use of Melafix with these types of fish should best be totally avoided. Better safe than sorry. But it may still be a good cure for other fish. Hopefully API will at some time soon recommend it not be used at all with the labyrinth type fish.

 

what is melafix?

 

I am melafix user and I don't follow their inst - "...repeat dose daily for up to 7 days before making a water change". I think it is too much dosage for any fish.

Anyway, I found this discussion a few days ago. An old discussion about melafix, bettafix, primafix, melafake and alternative.


Have fun,
Sam

 

Well, I definitely agree that it shouldn't be used for Bettas--too risky. But Melafix does have its merits...actually it saved my Pygmy cory from some mystery bacterial infection that had already killed three of them. It can be a great medication as long as you don't use it with labyrinth fish.

Sam--I'm not quite understanding why it's so bad to treat for 7 days. After all, about every type of medication has a dosage period of around a week. Isn't the point that you continue adding it to get it up to strength? Maybe the dosage you want is not how much you're adding daily but how much you reach by the end of the week. In that case it makes sense to add it a bit each day so as to not shock the fish by suddenly dumping in a ton of chemicals at once. Sooo I'm just a little confused why you shouldn't treat for 7 days (after all a medication not used to its full strength will not do any good...)

 

I looked at the ingredient list online and I'm not seeing anything about Clove oil. It says it uses Melaleuca, or Tea Tree Oil. It specifically said it's safe for sensitive fish such as Tetras and scaleless fish, too.

I'm not sure how this medication works, but not following the dosing guidelines can lead to serious problems if the thing you're treating for builds up an immunity to the medication because you didn't use it for long enough. That's why with certain anti-biotics you're told to keep using it even if symptoms appear to have gone away. If you were to stop using it as soon as symptoms stopped you might not get rid of whatever it is and it could build up an immunity to the antibiotic, making you have to use an even stronger one next time around, etc.

 

The clove oil is in the Pimafix. It does not take much to let you smell it.

Rose

 

I used melafix for my guppies and I believe it saved them and I would definitely use it again if necessary. however, I wouldnt risk using it on any labyrinth fish. it has been proven by many people on here to be fatal. try to find an alternative if you have labyrinth fish.

 

I am using Melafix now, I'm on my 4th day and my fish are doing better. I have tetras in the tank and their fine. I don't think 7 days is too long at all, most antibiotics are 7 to 14 days it is a process , get the medication in or on their little bodies and keep it there at the same levels for the apprioate amount of time so the medication can work and take care of what ever bacteria or fungus you may be treating.

 

Since Tetras are not labyrinth organ fish, they are not in any danger of being harmed by this medication and it is perfectly safe to use it on them. We are only talking about the Labyrinth organ fish here. If I had a tank with nothing but other types of fish in it I would perhaps use Melafix for them, but my tanks all contain Bettas which fall under the classification of being Labyrinth organ fish and so they would be at risk. Hence, I will not be using it. Neither should owners of pencilfish, gouramis, perch, combtails (Belontia signata ~ not the betta kind), ctenopoma, and paradisefish as well as all forms of Betta.

Rose