Melafix vs. Pimafix?

Question

Hi. I think my betta fish has ick. He has some white spots, is sluggish, doesn't eat, stays near the top of the water, and has bubbles occasionally coming out of his gills. I have quarantined him for now but was wondering which medication would be best for him. Also, will my other fish (tetra, African dwarf frog) be infected??? They seem very sluggish too. Should I wash my tank with chlorine? Thanks

Answer 1

If your beta does have Ick, it's likely that you're other fish have it too.  Ick is fatal and quick-spreading.  There are drop-in tablets that you can buy at your local pet store (or even Wal-Mart) that take care of Ick in no time...usually only one treatment.

Answer 2

it sounds like your betta has ich do 25% water change every 2 or 3 days and then use MELAFIX for the next 7-10 days until all the white spots are gone and he is eating good again

your other fish may get infected just watch and see if they are acting more sluggish than normal i would treat them with the melafix to just in case they do have it (the earlier you notice  the disease and act the better chance your fish has)

dont use any chemicals to clean the tank. do a major water change (about 60-70%) and treat your whole tank with melafix

i hope your fish get better soon!!

Answer 3

Use Melafix or Quick cure. Don not use chemicals to clean your tank. You did the right thing by quarantining the betta, as fish can pass on ick, velvet, popeye, etc. to others in the tank. It sounds though, as if your betta has ick. Read all the directions on the medications for proper treatment.

Answer 4

Do not use any chemical to wash your tank with. Melafix is safer to use on bettas than the pimafix. But if it's just ich I would not treat them with meds. Do a water changes now, then slowly raise the temperature of the tank up to 82 degreesF, then add some aquarium salts to the tank. Let it sit without a water change for about a week with the temperature raised. By raising the temp you are allowing the parasites to go through their cycle faster, therefore causing less stress on the fish. If however the parasites seem to be getting worse instead of better at the end of the week, treat them with medications, preferably something containing malachite green.

Answer 5

Neither Melafix or Pimafix has shown any effectiveness at killing parasitic, fungal, or substantial bacterial infections.  These are PREVENTATIVES that will help the fish to fight off potential infections, NOT treat existing ones.  Quick Cure or Rid Ich would be much better choices and are considerably more accurate than something like salt and heat (which is effective, but leaves considerable room for error).  With the availability of numerous, effective medications (containing malachite green, formalin, copper, acriflavine, etc.), I find it hard to believe that things like Melafix and Pimafix even sell.  Best of all, medications for Ich and other parasites are EXTREMELY effective in fighting fungus as well, so whether it's Ich or fungus, you win.