The skinny on Melafix

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ImACoolguy

ImACoolguy

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I did an Instagram review on this product and stirred the pot with all the newbies that thinks it works miracles. Just thought I would share what I found on this product and I left my sources below. Yes I am not a huge meds guy but I am a big skeptic of API products.

This thing is, this product DOES NOT "cure" your diseased fish. That's right I said it doesn't cure them. But but but the bottle said it does? It's only partially true. Anyone who knows business knows how companies twist words. Especially API... So if it doesn't cure fish what does it do? Well let's start with what Melafix actually is..

Melafix is "melaleuca extract" or, Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide, meaning it only cleans the wound, not fix it or cure it. So pretty much you bought a product that doesn't even cure stuff.

The main goal of Melafix is to cure bacterial related diseases(it says). AQ salt and heat treatment will do MORE than this product ever will. Salt inhibits bacterial growth while also building up the fishes immune system at 1% salt concentration it can actually kill bacteria. Heat will speed up the life cycle of bacteria.

Oh I forgot to mention the side effects of Melafix... Since it is an oil it can cause an oily surface on the water and has actually been known to suck the oxygen out of tanks, literally suffocating fish. The oily surface has caused cases where bettas(with their labyrinth organ) have inhaled the oil. And people wonder why I don't like the -Fix's...

Melafix sources:

Does melafix even work? | Page 4 | MonsterFishKeepers.com

The skinny on Melafix/Bettafix - I'm a fish person.


I would use API as a source but we all know they just plaster stuff up to make their products look good. Again I'm not trying to make a full blown war lol this is just the evidence I have found on this product.


Caleb
 
I have never used it. I typically use salt and heat. Only "meds" I use is Prazi Pro for IP's.

All though I have used API's parasite guard or something like that when I could find the Prazi it worked well but has a smell the my wife can't stand. I think it smells fruity.

Melafix does do what it is intended to do. They claim it is an anti bacterial and it kills bacteria wich it does. And this does cure fish by killing off the bacteria and allowing the fishes body to heal. Just like anti bacterial meds for people. So I wouldn't say melafix is snake oil I would just state your preference of salt and heat. which I also prefer.
 
Rivers2k said:
I have never used it. I typically use salt and heat. Only "meds" I use is Prazi Pro for IP's.

All though I have used API's parasite gaurd or something like that when I could find the Prazi it worked well but has a smell the my wife can't stand. I think it smells fruity.
Click to expand...


I feel the same way, I try to avoid meds and take a more natural approach.

In my last episode with columnaris though I had to resort to meds and Furan-2 by API in mixture with Kanaplex worked well.

I'm not sold on the "-Fix's" though.


Caleb
 
A long time ago now, About 2004 I think, I had problems with Baby Koi that had a fungal issue. Looked like cotton growing on there body. I asked for a recommendation from the pet store and she told me Meleflix. Back then it cam in a short dark blue bottle. Even though Pimaflix had labeling that said it was for fungus and Melaflix didn't I took the advice. Back then both products used to be labeled for which type of illness they treated. Long story short I tried both products because I kept having this recurring issue with the Koi. They never worked and killed the fish too. I called API and got advised to use a half dose which I did. I tried it for beta fin rot also with the same effect. Now days API refuses to make any specific claims about this product . I believe they have removed any mention of specific illness from the label too. I haven't looked at one in years. I have also talked to techs at other companies who make meds that do work and they told me they never could get either one of those to cure anything they tried it on either. I feel that both products are a total scam. I have been told by some folks that they called API and were told they do not claim either one cures anything. They only sell them because people buy them.
 
ImACoolguy said:
I feel the same way, I try to avoid meds and take a more natural approach.

In my last episode with columnaris though I had to resort to meds and Furan-2 by API in mixture with Kanaplex worked well.

I'm not sold on the "-Fix's" though.


Caleb
Click to expand...

I have had great luck with Kanaplex and Betta Fin rot. Sometimes that disease is so fast within 3 days fish goes from normal to dead. I have been able to save a few with Kanaplex. I keep it on hand now because ordering it takes too long and I don't usually find it on the shelf.
 
I've had a few people claim it "cured" their fish but I find it much more believable they healed on their own. Like humans fish can recover without treatment sometimes.


Caleb
 
For what it's worth, the breeder who I purchase GBRs from recommends it for use when introducing GBRs to a new tank.

I've found that Melafix will help heal torn fins, but I haven't used it for anything else. And, generally speaking, I try to not use any meds unless really necessary.
 
Ive found thats its like cleaning a cut with alcohol... It helps but it wont fix it. What it does is clean it and then your body has a better chance at healing itself. Just an analogy... But melafix is abt the same. You use it to help give the fish a winning chance at healing on its own. Not to heal the fish. Breeders often use it when adding or shipping a fish. But this is only to help protect against, not fix, any existing problems.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Aquarium Advice mobile app
 
PoppaRyno said:
Ive found thats its like cleaning a cut with alcohol... It helps but it wont fix it. What it does is clean it and then your body has a better chance at healing itself. Just an analogy... But melafix is abt the same. You use it to help give the fish a winning chance at healing on its own. Not to heal the fish. Breeders often use it when adding or shipping a fish. But this is only to help protect against, not fix, any existing problems.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Aquarium Advice mobile app
Click to expand...


Exactly Poppa! That's what I'm trying to say lol people claim it cured their fish when really the fish healed itself.


Caleb
 
Yeah those people would have gone broke 1-200 yrs ago buying dr shim shams miracle cure all out of a wagon.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Aquarium Advice mobile app
 
Nice link Dela!
Being able to read endless jibber jabber concludes the patent is for "any disease" that would benefit from having the oil added!
Find the disease kids if you want to prove them wrong!
It is bunk all the way and dangerous 100% to labarynths.
IMO Caleb nailed it with it being like H2O2.
I would never waste my money for either of the fixes but that is me.
I remember the blue bottles!
Reefers buy this "coral RXP" that is very similar( and I believe still in blue bottles!) to dip corals in(pretty much a bunk thing IMO, but has a little merit to some?).
 
Lol - bit of a dry read. Not sure on coral RXP if you might have a link? Just curious as had never heard of it.


I've always thought (not sure if correct) there was a little bit more science behind pimafix (a better class of painkiller?! - although since the family is knocked around with the flu anything painkiller wise is looking good at the moment).




United States Patent: 6537591
 
coralbandit said:
Only a dry read if you thought they were going to own up to anything!
They say nothing but offering the oil if it is needed will be provided by this product!(who says it is needed?

Heres a little on mela fix
http://whatsinproducts.com/files/brands_pdf/01020042 MSDS Aquarium Ph Mela Fix 111605.pdf
1% oil!!!!
The rest is water you silly people!!(not enough to count as a water change still!)


Quick MSDS on coral RXP(96% water)!
http://www.coralrx.com/documents/MSDS/coralrx_msds.pdf
Click to expand...


Yes, I can understand a research article has limited space but for a patent application you would think more detail could be given.

Thanks for the links will check out, particularly the one on coral for something different.
 
FYI- Melafix and Pimafix are NOT safe for labyrinth fish such as bettas and kissing gourami. The oil will damage the organ causing asphyxiation. I'm not sure if it's on the bottle, but I'm confident I've read it on their website.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Aquarium Advice mobile app
 
I'm a confirmed sceptic that mela or pima is particularly an issue for bettas. Ime any fish can be lost to them. Going to play devils advocate on that one.
 
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