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AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS & TREATMENTS INTRODUCTION (Home) Three organic or “homeopathic” treatments that I have used; as well as information about the symptoms and possible treatment of Lymphocystis PIMENTA EXTRACT (PIMAFIX);  USE: Pimenta extract is effective for a broad range of mild bacterial and fungal diseases that typically afflict fish and other aquatic animals. Fish diseases that may be treated in accordance with this include bacterial fish diseases, such as fin and tail rot, mouth fungus (often caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium columnaris); fungal fish diseases (such as those caused by microorganisms of the genera Saprolegnia and Achyle) and the like.Pimenta Extract has shown to be more effective against gram negative bacterial infections which are more common in aquatic infections. This generally makes Pimafix a better choice over Melafix, although they can be combined.  The Pimenta extract treatment has been shown in Lab tests to be effective in curing such difficult-to-treat fish diseases, like ragged fins and bacterial dropsy (early stages).Since the Pimenta extract treatment has been shown in Lab Tests to have broad-spectrum effectiveness against many diseases affecting fish and other aquatic animals, precise identification of specific bacterial or fungal pathogens causing the disease is not usually necessary. Pimafix is often effective where its sister product, Melafix is not. Since they have different anti-microbial properties, combining both is safe and occasionally more effective. My own use and notes of this product show it to be a useful product (often even more useful when combined with Melafix) for mild bacterial infections or fungal (Saprolegnia) infections. I have never seen any harm to fish or nitrifying bacteria with this product, and it s what I often use or recommend for new fish, when possible infections are noted, or sometimes after a stressful situation for the fish has occurred. This all said, Pimafix is not for serious infections, so even the this is a good first response treatment (again with a possible combination with Melafix), I do NOT recommend Pimafix when the infection is serious or if Pimafix is not effecting a cure a stronger medication such as Kanamycin, Minocycline or Nitrofurazone should be used. Please see this article for more about these medications: “Aquarium Medications; Antibiotics, antimicrobials” One caution I would offer for the use of Pimafix is for marine aquariums; although I have not observed any problems, human and other animal studies have shown that the active ingredient in Pimafix is highly toxic when ingested and since most marine fish drink the water around them to regulate osmotic pressure in their bodies, the potential of over use exists. DOSAGE: Refer to Pimafix instructions MELALUCA TEA (MELAFIX):  USE: Repairs damaged fins, ulcers, and open wounds, often caused by rough handling, fighting, and occasionally “ammonia burns” (although a bathe or hospital tank with Methylene Blue is often more effective.Melaluca tea extract also promotes re-growth of damaged tissue and fins. About Melaleuca  Melaleuca alternifolia is a plant that belongs to the family Myrtaceae, of which aboriginals of New South Wales (Australia) have long used as an antiseptic.The oil obtained from the leaves of the tea tree contains marked germicidal activity owing to the presence of terpunen-4-ol and is useful in eliminating germs. Other constituents in the oil extracted from this plant like alpha-terpineol and linalool are also play a major role in maintaining the anti-microbial activities. The oil is acquired from the tea tree leaves through a process of steam refinement. While a third of the oil contains different terpene hydrocarbons like pinene, terpinene and cymene, the remaining part comprises mainly of oxygenated terpenes. The terpenes are mainly terpinen-4-ol that may form up to 60 percent of the total oil derived from the tea tree leaves. More about Aquatic uses of Melafix Melafix is sometimes effective against aeromonas bacteria which often attack open wounds, sores, and abrasions. However the main use of Melaluca (Melafix) is as an antiseptic for mild wounds on fish. Melaluca tends to be more effective against gram positive bacteria, which are less common in aquatic diseases, making Melafix a lesser choice to Pimafix which is more effective against gram negative bacteria (they can be combined). I have used Melafix quite a bit with mixed results. Sometimes though this product gets reviews that are very inaccurate from both sides; some claim it is useless (it is not) other will recommend it for everything of which this product has many limits. Another absurd claim put out by an old Goldfish site that is present in some Google Groups is that Melafix will burn the gills of injured fish; I have NEVER seen ANY evidence of this and quite the opposite I believe it is soothing to the fish with wounds. If you doubt this try pouring some Melafix on an open sore you have and see what happens! Honestly since Melafix’s properties as an antimicrobial are limited and I prefer using it for a first response to injury of all kinds to fish where I HAVE seen some good results here and often the fish are more calm (IMO) after use of this product. The best way to think of Melafix (Melaluca) is to compare it to human use of Neosporin after a cut, abrasion or similar, Melafix has similar properties and uses and like Neosporin does not take the place of stronger treatments for more serious infections or injuries. As with Pimafix (and even more so since it is effective for less bacterium), I do not recommend Melafix for serious infections, rather a first line of defense as already noted and in combination with the slightly more effective Pimafix, often I use it as well after stress, injury (where it is a better choice over Pimafix), or a preventative. DOSAGE: Refer to Melafix instructions  USNEA LICHEN, usnic acid aquarium (& pond) treatment;USE; Usnea is a lichen common to the temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest of the USA. I have found it effective for bacterial (gram negative and positive), fungal and even parasites such ich. A natural antibiotic it has also proven effective against gram positive bacteria, such Mycobacterium tuberculosis (making Usnea a great alternative to Isoniazid). Scientists believe that usnic acid works by disrupting cellular metabolism, either by preventing the formation of ATP which is the cells' energy source or by the stopping the action of oxidative phosphorylization. Usnea may also be a better choice than the drug metronidazole (as per human studies) for parasites and anaerobic bacterial treatments in aquariums. Usnea shows promise for gill infections due to the Mucilage (gluey substance produced by most plants and some microorganisms) contained in the Usnea which has been shown to have healing properties in areas of respiration. Usnea also shows promise as a safe Cryptocaryon (saltwater ich) treatment for Marine Aquariums. It has similar anti-parasite properties to metronidazole and pepper for marine cryptocaryon. (Usnea actually has a peppery taste when brewed). More information about Usnea; Test tube studies have suggested an anti-cancer and an anti-viral activity for usnic acid. This may also make Usnea useful for the hard to treat aquatic viral disease; Lymphocystis (which is usually not fatal in otherwise healthy fish). Symptoms of Lymphocystis: * Whitish patches or irregular growths on the fish most commonly on the tail and fins. * These eventually become quite large and give rise to the name Cauliflower Disease. This remedy is still in the testing phase, but early results are promising. The Usnea Lichen is proving to be the most effective natural remedy early in my testing This lichen is boiled like a tea then added to the aquarium. The only dangers that have been established (in human studies) are in rare cases liver damage, which would make this a poor choice for dropsy. Also use caution in Marine Treatment with sensitive invertebrates such as hard coral and cephalopods. DOSAGE: None established yet. I boil one small sprig in 6 oz. of water and add this to every 10-20 gallons of water every day until cure is effective +2 days For my full article about Usnea, please visit this link: USNEA; Using usnic acid as a fish remedy If interested in some Usnea, you can purchase (.2 oz, enough for 200 gallons of treatment for $8.94 including shipping), please use this Google Button to purchase (lower 48 USA only) OR the PayPal Pay Now button further down (recommended for multiple purchases or purchases outside the lower 48 USA) FOR EACH MEDICATION ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINKS BELOW: ANTIBIOTICS/ ANTIMICROBIALS PARASITE & CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ORGANIC TREATMENTS AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS & TREATMENTS INTRODUCTION (Home) For more aquarium information and articles (pond too), please visit this site:   
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