Fish Medications

API Pimafix

All-naturalAntifungal

API Pimafix is the antifungal half of API's natural remedy pair. Made from an extract of the West Indian bay tree, Pimenta racemosa, it is the product to use when a fish develops white cottony tufts, fungus on the mouth or body, or reddening along the fins and body, and it also treats bacterial infections, inside and out. It leaves the biological filter, the pH and the water colour untouched, and it was formulated to be dosed together with Melafix when an infection will not shift. Dose 5 ml per 38 litres daily for seven days. Jungle Aquatics supplies the 118 ml and 237 ml bottles in South Africa.

Size: 118 ml

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Live pricing and stock on jungleaquatics.com — purchase through Jungle Aquatics, with delivery across South Africa.

Dosage calculator

Enter your aquarium volume and the calculator works out how much API Pimafix to use for each rate on the pack.

Aquarium volume

Measured in

Use the water the tank actually holds, less substrate and decor.

Treatment dose5 ml per 38 litres
Enter a volumeOnce a day for 7 days, then a 25% water change

Remove activated carbon for the course. Melafix may be dosed alongside at its own full rate.

A guide only — always follow the dosing instructions printed on the pack, and measure with the bottle's cap or a syringe rather than by eye.

Technical details

Product type	All-natural antifungal fish remedy
Sizes	118 ml, 237 ml
Dose	5 ml per 38 litres, once a day
Treats	118 ml ≈ 870 litres · 237 ml ≈ 1 780 litres of single doses
How often	Daily for 7 days
Water change needed	25% after the 7-day course
Suitable for	Aquarium fish with fungal growth, reddened fins or bacterial infection; can be combined with Melafix
Safe with	The biological filter; does not alter pH or water colour
Key ingredient	West Indian bay tree (Pimenta racemosa) extract
Made by	Mars Fishcare, USA

A seven-day course on a 100-litre tank uses about 92 ml, so choose the bottle by the volume you are treating.

How much Pimafix do I dose, and can I add Melafix too?

Add 5 ml for every 38 litres of water once a day for seven days, then change 25% of the water. Remove activated carbon from the filter first. If the fish has fungus and a bacterial infection together, or one infection is not responding, add Melafix at its own full rate of 5 ml per 38 litres on the same days; there is no need to reduce either dose. A full course on a 100-litre tank takes about 92 ml, so the 118 ml bottle covers one course for tanks up to roughly 125 litres and the 237 ml up to about 255 litres.

Clears fungal growth on the mouth, body and fins

Fungus shows up as fluffy white or grey tufts, often on the mouth, over a wound or along the fin edges, and it tends to take hold on fish that are already stressed or injured. Pimafix acts quickly on cottony growth, mouth and body fungus and the reddening of fins and body that goes with it, and it also covers bacterial infections inside and out.

A plant-derived formula that leaves the tank chemistry alone

The active extract comes from the West Indian bay tree, a natural antifungal with a long track record. Pimafix does not disturb the nitrifying bacteria in the filter, does not shift pH and does not discolour the water, so the tank keeps cycling normally while the fish heal. Take activated carbon out of the filter for the course or it will adsorb the remedy.

Built to be dosed alongside Melafix

Pimafix was formulated to work together with Melafix, and the combination is what API recommends for stubborn infections or a fish fighting fungus and bacteria at once. Dose each at its normal rate, 5 ml per 38 litres, with no reduction for using both. Run the pair for the full seven days and finish with a 25% water change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pimafix for fungus or for bacterial infections?

Both. It is first an antifungal for cottony white growths, mouth and body fungus and reddening of the fins and body, but it also treats internal and external bacterial infections, which is why it pairs so well with Melafix.

How long does Pimafix take to work?

Pimafix acts rapidly on fungal growth, but the full course is seven daily doses followed by a 25% water change, and you should run it to the end even if the tufts disappear early. If the fish has not improved after a full course, a vet or the Jungle Aquatics team can help confirm what you are treating.

Do I need to take the carbon out of my filter for Pimafix?

Yes. Activated carbon and similar chemical media adsorb the remedy, so remove them for the seven-day course and put fresh carbon back afterwards to clear any residue.

Will Pimafix upset my filter bacteria or change the water?

No. Pimafix does not harm the biological filter, does not alter pH and does not discolour the water, so the tank keeps cycling normally during treatment.

Is API Pimafix available in South Africa?

Yes. Jungle Aquatics in Fourways, Johannesburg carries both the 118 ml and 237 ml bottles and delivers nationwide; live pricing and stock are on jungleaquatics.com.

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South Africa's leading pet and aquarium store since 2007 — with the API range on the floor in Fourways, advice from people who test water every day, and easy ordering from anywhere in the country.

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