My buddy alarmed me by allowing that he dropped 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide per gallon in the tank daily. I expected that stuff to further burn them. He countered with the suggestion that it broke down in the water, oxidizing organics there. It also broke down into water and free oxygen which was probably needed by the discus with the seared gills. TLC was the order of the day.

For whatever reasons, they were in pretty good shape in a couple of weeks!

In other circumstances Melafix, according to some list people made from the Australian  Melaleuca tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, is a useful tonic for beat up fish. Evidentally the aquarium bottle is 1% of this tea oil. The pond package is a 5% solution. If you do a google search on the topic you can find health food store versions of the oil and risk mixing your own up. ;)

Also a number of hobbyists will testify that one wants to get the Melafix out of the water after a few days. As with all medicinal items, over dosing - including leaving it in the water too long - can sometimes kill fish and plants.

It does acidify the water (other bactericidal factors aside, at a low pH of below about 5 bacteria ceases to multiply). Guppies don't need to be in that type of water long.

Another item (potentially of interest to those of this forum) that came up was that vitamins B-6 and B-12 were useful in helping fish heal torn and split fins. Vaguely recall hearing this before. When I asked how to get and apply this wonderful combination I was advised to get one adult tablet of a vitamin B complete supplement, run it through a blender (soap-less please!) and add to a 30 gallon tank. (Can you see going to the drugstore and asking for one vitamin B tablet?)

Since no 30 gallon tank currently needs that treatment, I'll file the idea away. When it is needed, probably the afflicted specimen will not be in a 30 gallon tank. Application will be scaled as necessary. I would under dose rather than over dose.

Then remove it with water changes and activated carbon in the filter.

A day later Rosario LaCorte called. He had graciously done some more to make the March CKA show what we hope will be a resounding success.

In the course of the conversation I proudly mentioned the vitamin B complex's use with frayed and split fins. He noted that it was an old remedy.

It figures. I'm probably the last 23 year old, who has been in the hobby a zillion years, who finally remembers that trick long enough to put it on a notepaper.