Success with MelaFix for tail rot and wounds?

[littletankbigworld]

My guppy has tail rot. At first, it was minor with loss of color and a little bit of flaking. A couple days into the MelaFix treatment, his tail began to flake off in chunks, leaving little bloody wounds along the edge. (MelaFix is supposed to treat the fin rot and the wounds.) The treatment has been going on for about 5 days, but so far, no success. The bottle recommends using for a week or longer if necessary. I couldn’t find Maracyn at any of my LFS. I just learned of two more stores in my area and I’m going to see if they have Maracyn. I’m not sure if I’m going to buy another medication, though. I was wondering if any of you have used MelaFix and have been successful. Which medication is better, or are they about the same?

Also, another weird thing I noticed is that the guppy will occasionally regain the black coloring in his tail and then lose it a couple minutes later. What do you think is causing that to happen?

[Newman]

my guess is blood clotting, or something of that sort. it has to do with the blood, since you described the edges being bloody. fin rot meds are tricky. try monitoring copper levels in your tank ,to make sure too much is not present (or the fish will die)
i have almost never had any luck with the meds on my goldfish.
Try your best to improve water quality, as a bad water quality will weaken the fishe's immune system and prevent it from healing back to normal.
i know i give newb advice, but thats only because thats all ive experienced so far.

[Lotus]

Melafix tends to work on minor finrot. If it's an aggressive finrot, you'll probably need antibiotics. Most of the antibiotic finrot meds will work, it doesn't necessarily have to be Maracyn.

If it has gotten worse over the five days, it's time to switch meds.

[littletankbigworld]

Thank you both. Unfortunately, he died, but I will keep this in mind in case it happens again.

[Lotus]

Sorry to hear that. Livebearers seem to be prone to minor bacterial infections. Try to keep an eye on the fish every day, and put in Melafix at the first sign of a little tail rot or fin fungus.

If the Melafix isn't helping after a few days, and the infection is getting worse, switch meds.

[littletankbigworld]

Will do. I try and watch my fish every day to make sure they're okay. It's hard not to watch them as they are so entertaining to watch, especially the schooling fish.

[RyuKing]

Next time you are dealing with Fin Rot definitely get Maraycn II. Melafix seems to only make them worse, especially if it's a serious case. Treat them in a hospital tank for about one week. Only circulate the water do not filter it. Trust me it works as I had a fish floating upside down it was so bad, but guess what it's so healthy now you would never know it was as sick as it was. Trick is never give up and treat them like babies when they are sick. I'm convinced attention helps them too. Sorry to hear you lost them though that always puts a damper on your day.