Melafix advice please

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
ocellatus

ocellatus

Aimara
MFK Member
Jan 20, 2006
845
550
130
Canada
Does anyone have experience using Melafix with Bichirs? My 5" senegal was chased into a plastic log by a breeding pair of convicts and got stuck. :irked: We got her unstuck, but she has a lot of scrapes along her body. No scales disturbed though, and her head, eyes etc are fine. Needless to say the log and convicts have been removed, and I'd like to use the Melafix as a preventative to bacterial infection.

Any advice besides 1/2 dosage? I've added some stress coat to help her slime, and may add some salt. Has anyone had a bad experience with Melafix? I certainly don't want a preventative measure to endanger them (2 sens in an 80g) and know that certain meds are harmful to Poly's.

O
 
melafix works well. follow the directions on the bottle. salt may also benefit the injured fish. also if you can find it pennicillin works awesome but i think it is now off the shelves in fish stores.
 
why would you use this med as a one of my bichirs had something similar a while ago but without help and good water they heal very fast. wudnt use meds if there was another choice. salt will work well too.
 
I agree with stiffmeister -salt's a better choice.

Treating with melafix is like drinking herbal tea. It may give you the warm fuzzies but it won't take the bullet out of your arm. Use the proper med when needed only, do your water changes, and keep salt in your aquarium somewhere in the 1T per five gallons to 1T per ten gallon range.

When I choose to use melafix I grab the POND melafix instead of the aquarium variety. It's 5 times srtonger.

Bichir are tough. if you find them dried up on the floor you can sometimes wipe 'em off and throw them back in the tank successfully.
 
Actually I've held off on the meds, added salt, and have been trying to keep the water pristine. They are tough customers, I agree.

She seems to be doing pretty well, considering she was chased by a crazed convict into the log, went the wrong way and got stuck (my fault for not noticing the potential hazard), then getting yanked out of the water while my wife hack sawed open the log to free her. Missed her by millimetres I'm told :eek: (I was 500 km away on cell phone giving frantic directions!:nilly: ) They're both a bit upset with all the changes in the tank, and have been picky with their food, but they'll get over it.

I'll be keeping an eye on her scrapes and won't medicate unless need be. Thanks for the quick replies.

O
 
Ah, Melafix. It's a good medication, but horrible strong. I've used it and had success. I've also used it and it led to dissaster. Personaly, unless enough tissue is damaged to the point of blleding or massive scale loss, don't use it. I see you opted not to. Salt and Stress Coat work wounders. You made a wise choice. It is true, they are incredibly durable fish!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom