Melafix and bettas/labyrinth fish
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:55 pm
Hey, folks!
We talk about Melafix for puffers a lot, and it's a great medication. But I want to let everyone know that it is not safe for labyrinth fish.
Labyrinth fish, or anabantoids, are the group of fish that breath air with a labyrinth organ. Melafix damages this organ. A popular betta medication is Bettafix; this is simply diluted Melafix and is not safe either. A good alternative to Melafix for mild external bacterial infections is aquarium salt at a dose of 1 teaspoon per gallon. More aggressive infections can be treated with strong antibiotics - we usually try to avoid these for puffers because of their delicate skin and ability to absorb medication too quickly, but they are not harmful to labyrinth fish and other scaled fish.
Common labyrinth fish include bettas and gouramis; mudskippers and other fish with lungs are not part of this group.
We talk about Melafix for puffers a lot, and it's a great medication. But I want to let everyone know that it is not safe for labyrinth fish.
Labyrinth fish, or anabantoids, are the group of fish that breath air with a labyrinth organ. Melafix damages this organ. A popular betta medication is Bettafix; this is simply diluted Melafix and is not safe either. A good alternative to Melafix for mild external bacterial infections is aquarium salt at a dose of 1 teaspoon per gallon. More aggressive infections can be treated with strong antibiotics - we usually try to avoid these for puffers because of their delicate skin and ability to absorb medication too quickly, but they are not harmful to labyrinth fish and other scaled fish.
Common labyrinth fish include bettas and gouramis; mudskippers and other fish with lungs are not part of this group.
