Melafix Dangers; Pencil Fish, Gouramis

[Carl]

I updated my article from Fish as Pets to add more clarity about the
use of Melafix with labyrinth and pencil fish. This includes the
importance of correct mineralization when using Melafix with these
fish (updated 2/24/11).

Melafix Dangers; Gouramis, Pencil Fish

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I heard your blog about Lemafix and Pimafix and it was very interesting to read. I don't have any bettas now but when I get some again (which I surely will eventually), I'm going to be careful when giving my fish Pimafix or Melafix even though these are just theories now.

I do wonder though if these dangers (assuming they are valid) apply to any fish that tries to breathe air. Even if they don't have a labyrinth organ. Like say my goldfish who always suck air after feeding.

I also noticed that 2 people have already replied to your blog, one of after you gave a reminder to post any questions on Everything-Aquatic. If you'd like, I can post a friendly reminder on there for them to post on EA.

Great article by the way!

[parker002]

How would labyrinthine fish "consume" more than other types of fish? My mollies constantly eat and hang out at the surface of the water.

[goldenpuon]

Labyrinth fish would consume more air because their labyrinth organ (hence the name labyrinth fish) allow them to breath air from the water's surface. Many of them live in the wild in waters with little oxygen so that is why they have this.

Mollies probably would take in a bit of air if they go to the top but not as much because they don't breath it. Like my goldfish for instance who sometimes suck air after they are fed.

[parker002]

I understand that. However, breathing air (at least in my opinion) would have ZERO to do with it - the Melafix is in the WATER, not the air.

Labyrintine fish, as well as mollies or any other surface feeder (not breather) would swallow similar amounts of water.

[Carl]

The best research (including my own early experiments) indicates the labyrinth organ is not the problem (& breathing air), as this was my point as per a post at another forum; (Fish lore)

As well the Pencil Fish (which are Characins; related to Tetras), which seems to be even more affected than Gouramis would not have this problem

From the Article:
"since the best research shows similarities between TTO and Turpentine (both are terpenes, but then so is beta carotene), is that in an acidic environment, in particular an environment with nitric acid or other acids as a result of organic decomposition such as carbonic acid, the chemical reaction can produce chemicals that may harm the liver in certain fish that have a tendency to ingest the water around them such as Labyrinth fish/Pencil fish (via the surface)."

The research indicates a relationship between a sensitive liver essentially being poisoned in an acid/oxidizing environment

Carl

[parker002]

I got to thinking about it after I posted - you even mentioned it in your blog entry:

Breathing air, being at the top of the tank, etc. is immaterial anyway. If any fish were being poisoned because of breathing air or eating at the top of the tank, it would imply that the Melafix is floating on the surface of the water. As you mentioned, Melafix is a derivative of tea tree oil rather than the oil itself, otherwise it wouldn't mix into the water and would be useless an aquarium treatment.

[goldenpuon]

Sorry about the misinformation I posted Parker and Carl. I assumed the problem with Melafix had to do with the labyrinth organ because fish who have these organs such as bettas and gouramis have a possibility of being poisoned by Melafix especially. (Which I was wrong about.)

But thanks for correcting me.

[parker002]

Oh no, I don't see that as misinformation at all.

You and I were just having a discussion - I'm certainly not an expert. I was just being inquisitive.

[Carl]

I thought I would bring this thread back to life since I once more updated the article Melafix Dangers with Bettas & other labyrinth fish as well as pencil fish.

Since time has allowed me to gather further information from colleagues and I also added an important point that often Melafix is used for the wrong disease (such as Columnaris) and then when it does not work, the medications (Melafix) gets the blame, incorrectly I might add.
Melafix can be a very useful "First Aid" when used correctly, sometimes preventing the use of more serious medications.

What is sad is the misinformation about possible causes is still spread in internet forums & emails (I base this in part by emails I receive with questions from persons that were sadly misinformed by these forums)

Melafix Dangers; Bettas


Carl

[judybats]

I just put 1 tsp of Melafix into my 10 gal tank. I am leaving my filter running. I have a betta, 1 molly and a fiddler crab. Treated with melafix before looking at the information from this website. Will let you all know if everybody lives....

[Carl]

This is not a problem unless your water chemistry is "off"

From Fish as Pets; Melafix Dangers:

Think about Tylenol, this is generally considered a very safe medications for humans, yet mixing with alchohol (especially in increased dosages) can cause liver failure; does this make Tylenol a product that should never be used? Of coarse not! This goes for Melafix and Bettas, if you are using this product with Bettas, make sure that your KH is above 50 ppm, your GH is above 150 ppm, & pH is above 6.5, and you should not have a problem.

BTW, welcome to Everything Aquatic

Carl

[judybats]

I posted last week or so that I was putting melafix in the tank for my mollie, but that I would keep an eye on my betta. My mollie had a little wound from either a decoration in the tank or from the fiddler crab trying to wave her away. She always is daring and tries to nip at the food the fiddler crab is currently eating.
Anyway, so I put 1 tsp of melafix in the 10 gal tank, which seemed to irritate the mollie's wound a little. She hid in the back after I put the melafix in. I kept the carbon in the filter. She eventually came out after a couple of hours
2 days later I did a little less than 1/2 tsp of melafix and a little less than half tsp of primafix, and took the carbon filter out.

Betta stayed fine and energetic and had an appetite, etc, the whole time. I know I didn't do a full treatment of melafix, but my parameters were good, and my betta is fine.

My mollie is fine too. Her skin is still a little whitish where she had her wound, but it is all healed up. No longer dyes blue in the MB bath.

Just wanted to update about my concern - the melafix I did, did not affect my betta.

[Carl]

Good to Read!

Melafix Safety is all about correct water parameters, of which misunderstandings of water chemistry (especially for Bettas) is the main reason their is any controversy at all with Melafix

Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the Melafix Dangers Article from Fish as Pets

Changes to the layout in how resources/references are displayed were made.

Further information was also added

www.fish-as-pets.com/2008/12/melafix-dangers-labyrinth-fish.html

Carl