Melafix Dangers, Labyrinth Fish, Pencil Fish

Possible Melafix, Pimafix Dangers with use for Gourami, Betta, Pencil Fish

Updated 9/01/10

I was recently brought to my attention that there were real or possible dangers with Melafix via an email I received (admittedly I at first thought the email was a sham, as I get so many of these, but I was wrong and my apologies to the person who sent it).

I then researched (via specific Blog/Forum searches) to get some background about the complaints which stemmed from use with Labyrinth Fish (such as Bettas) and Pencil Fish.

I then spent more time in university level research, mostly looking at veterinary and human studies of the known ingredients in Melafix (TTO/ tea tree oil) which is in the case of Melafix is not from the more researched Melaleuca alternifolia, but is from the lesser researched Melaleuca leucadendron version of TTO, more correctly identified as cajeput oil.

Some Background

Although I have used and tested Melafix on many Labyrinth fish (in particular Bettas) and not found these results that some are claiming (this does NOT mean these persons are making up the results, this just indicates that there are more than one factor in this equation, such as a chemical trigger, water parameter, etc.). I also know of many other aquatic professionals that have not observed the deaths in Labyrinth fish/pencil fish, but again this just tells me that we need to look deeper and not make non-scientific knee jerk proclamations based on anecdotal evidence which often all too common in this hobby (even by well meaning aquarists!).

One such forum (Fish Lore) stated that the "oils" in both Pimafix and Melafix are dangerous to Labyrinth due to the need to "breathe air". If this is the reason aquarists are contributing to Melafix, I can correct this in that part of the patent for Melafix (& Pimafix) is the process of refining of the oil out of both these products. This can EASILY be proved by adding Melafix or Pimafix to the water and watching for it to float on the water, which it does not. HOWEVER before implying this person in that forum does not know what she is talking about, Melafix can and does cause foaming, which at least in theory could be a problem with certain fish or more likely allowing for "consumption" of the TTO where the chemical reactions likely take place. BTW, my using Fish Lore is in NO WAY an indictment on this forum, I have read many of their articles and forum posts, and most are good IMO, albeit often at worst well behind better research (such as UV Sterilizers).

Current Research/Hypothesis (from Aquarium Medications Part 4, Melafix, Pimafix, Usnea

Currently the best scientific information shows that there may be link between the tea tree oil in Melafix and toxicity in Labyrinth fish/Pencil fish, but this link is NOT what many in aquatic forums are anecdotally assuming. The best information points to liver function, which would explain why some (such as myself) have not observed this problems in our test (admittedly the studies did not focus on over doses or chemistry variables in the water).
Basically Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca, Melaleuca alternifolia) is a phenol-containing essential oil. Its active ingredients are cyclic terpenes which have a similar structure and action to turpentine (a known liver toxin). The acute toxicity for the major terpenic compounds (linalool, ocimene, alpha-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, terpinolene, camphene) is 2 - 5 g/kg body weight, which is considered a moderately toxic range. From a toxicological point of view Tea Tree oil is comparable to oil of turpentine, which is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and then finds its way to the liver. What may be the problem is that under certain conditions Melafix may be toxic to the liver in Labyrinth fish/Pencil fish.

My current hypothesis (note, this is merely a hypothesis, not a fact!), is that since the best research shows similarities between TTO and Turpentine (both are terpenes, but then so is beta carotene), is that in an acidic environment, in particular an environment with nitric acid or other acids as a result of organic decomposition such as carbonic acid, the chemical reaction can produce chemicals that may harm the liver in certain fish that have a tendency to ingest the water around them such as Labyrinth fish/Pencil fish (via the surface). Certain terpenes such as turpentine are actually explosive when combined with nitric acid (this chemical reaction is used in rocket fuels!). On a VERY small scale (aquarium environment) some similar reaction may be happening that with certain fish can cause death. This would also explain why this problem has never been noted in marine fish even though they constantly drink the water around them, since marine fish are always kept in an alkaline environment.

This would also explain why this reaction has not been observed in my tests with Melafix (even at double doses) with Labyrinth fish/Pencil fish since I conducted these tests in a balanced Redox mineral/electrolyte environment.
At this point my advice is to maintain proper mineralization and Redox, which is something I have been a big proponent of for many years now based on scientific evidence of the benefits therein. If my hypothesis is correct this may be the link in this problem, especially since the TTO found in Melafix (and all terpenes) is a known Redox reducer and an acidic/oxidizing environment of ANY cause could cause possible undesirable effects.
I recommend reading these articles:
*Importance of Minerals, Electrolytes, GH, KH in Aquariums
*Aquarium/Pond Redox

I will try and set up some trials of this theory/hypothesis (which should include some of my colleagues). This may take several months, but until then I think this is a viable hypothesis/conclusion and this certainly makes more sense than simply blaming Melafix for unexplained fish deaths when many tests with these very fish have not yielded the same results. The ultimate conclusion may also NEVER be found, but this does not mean that Melafix should never be used (which I think Melafix is often over used for way too many aquatic problems where even though it may be harmless, it also may be useless). However one thing is for certain and that is there is some trigger that causes this problem; otherwise one can not explain the use of Melafix at up to double dose without the deadly results some aquarists are observing.
In the mean time, I think many can continue to use Melafix (for the proper conditions, please reference “Aquarium Medications Part 4” for further information in this regard).
My suggestion is to not use products such as pH Down (which honestly should not be used anyway) or any other product that may add acids to ones aquarium while treatment with Melafix is under way. Make sure your pH is at least 6.8 or higher and would strongly recommend the use of products that buffer your aquarium and add minerals/electrolytes such as Wonder Shells (which come in sizes for Betta bowls as well).

Basically Melafix is best used for external wounds, and other minor EXTERNAL infections where there are proven results in many cases, however for diseases that go systemic (which most gram negative infections common in aquariums often do), Melafix is TOTALLY USELESS.
I recommend readers read this article for more about Melafix:
Aquarium Medications Part 4, Melafix, Pimafix, Usnea

PIMAFIX

Although this article is basically intended to address concerns about Melafix, I will also address concerns about Pimafix that I discovered when researching forum/blog posts.
The concern was with Pimafix is that it contains refined Clove Oil (refined so as to dissolve in water). Many aquarists warn against the use of Pimafix for this reason, HOWEVER I think this is a knee jerk reaction with NO scientific studies to back this up. Of coarse continued use of Pimafix with no water changes or use of carbon for removal could certainly allow for dangerous Eugenol (the active ingredient in clove oil) buildup, but then ANY treatment when abused can be dangerous! I found one such reaction in Fish Lore by a person who seems quite knowledgeable, but in this case is making non-scientific anecdotal claims based not in controlled studies, but the knowledge that Clove oil can be and is lethal at certain dosage.
An example of this kind of think is the use of Tylenol (acetometaphin) in humans, which used properly is effective for headache relief and more, but when over used or worse, when combined with alcohol can be lethal to one’s liver.
My point is to use this or ANY treatment carefully (organic or otherwise) with routine water changes between doses.

Please note, this article is not intended for questions, please refer all questions to Everything Aquatic; comments with questions will no longer be answered here.