API’s Melafix can be used for open wounds, open abrasions, fin rot, eye cloud and mouth fungus. With that said, this product many not be effective with curing any of the aforementioned diseases.
You can take a look at this troubleshooting guide at Aquarium Blueprints to see what you can do when Melafix is seemingly not working.
1. The first step we recommend taking is to make sure that you aren’t using any activated carbon filter media as it will remove any impurities in your tank water, including Melafix.
If you are using carbon, then you need to remove it from your filter as soon as possible and then start the treatment all over again.
2. You should also make sure that you are following the official directions correctly.
API instructed that you should add 5 mL of Melafix for every 10 gallons (or 38 liters) in your aquarium.
You should be dosing every day for at least a week. If you don’t see any improvements, then API recommends that you keep dosing until the bacterial or fungal infections go away.
3. API also stated that you need to do a 25% water change every 7th day of dosing Melafix.
When adding water back into a tank, make sure you dose an aquarium water conditioner if you are using tap water. Otherwise, the chlorine and chloramine from the tap water will harm your fish, beneficial bacteria and other living inhabitants in your fish tank.
Melafix should be compatible with all the major aquarium water conditions such as API Stress Coat, Seachem Prime and Seachem Safe.
4. You should also make sure that the Melafix you are using isn’t expired.
5. If possible, try not to use Melafix at the same time as another medication. If you do, then make sure that the other treatment is compatible. Pimafix and be used together with Melafix simultaneously, for example.
According to API, Melafix can be used with other API medications simultaneously as long as you can follow the directions for both treatments.
The company does not recommend using more than two of their branded treatments at the same time, however.
6. Make sure you are diagnosing whatever your pet fish are suffering from correctly.
The bottle comes with an infographic that will show what Melafix is capable of treating.
7. If you aren’t using carbon in your filter and have been following directions correctly, then you may want to consider using a stronger treatment product as Melafix only contains 1% tea tree oil.
If you decide to look for an alternative, then you might want to try out the API Fin and Body Cure. This product features Doxycycline Hyclate powder that should do a better job at treating open wounds, open abrasions, fin rot, eye cloud and mouth fungus.
If you are interested, you can purchase the alternative on Amazon with the following link:
- API Fin and Body Cure Freshwater Fish Powder Medication (#CommissionsEarned)
