Melafix

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Melafix is an all-natural medication derived from the leaves of "Melaleuca," the scientific name for a species of the tea tree. The healing properties of the tea tree extract have been part of homeopathic healing regimes for centuries, and the extract can be found in health food stores (though not under the Melafix trade name).

Although the medication is promoted by the manufacture as an antibacterial remedy ("stops mouth fungus" or flavobacterium) it has been the author's experience that the medication is not useful on bacterial diseases. This is confirmed in a report from the fish vet, Doc Johnson, who tested the product (http://www.koivet.com/melafix/). He found that it does not have antibacterial properties.

However the product's claim to aid in the rapid healing of wounds is substantiated by the author and Doc Johnson's experience. Fish that have jumped onto the floor, been wounded during aquarium maintenance or suffered through rough handling always get double dosed with Melafix as a preventive measure. Fish arriving from a long journey automatically get double dosed with Melafix.

Other users have reported that it is a good adjunct to other treatments. For example, it aids in the rapid healing of ulcers, providing other treatments have proven successful. However, the ulcers should have begun healing from another treatment before Melafix is used to speed up the healing process.

It should also be used for superficial wounds to the body, without systemic or septic signs. More serious wounds may not respond.

Melafix does not harm the biological filter, a fact that was confirmed by Doc Johnson. This makes the medication very useful, since it can be used without fear that a damaged biological cycle will exacerbate the guppy's original medical problem. A bonus is that the product will not color the water. It does not affect the pH of the water.