API Pimafix Antifungal Remedy
API Pimafix is positioned as a gentle, plant-derived antifungal option favored for routine aquarium care; its natural extract formula makes it affordable and safe for many community and planted tanks. Compared with stronger chemical options on this list, Pimafix offers a cost-effective, low-risk first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate fungal infections, though it may act more slowly and be less effective against severe or resistant infections than Paraguard or Rid Fungus Plus.
Plant-based action — herbal punch
Mild on fish — gentle hug
Plant-based action — herbal punch
Mild on fish — gentle hug
Review Summary
"Users generally praise Pimafix for being gentle and safe around plants and shrimp and for helping mild external fungal or protozoan issues, but many report limited effectiveness on severe fungal infections and slow results."
Simple dosing — dropper-ready
Plant-derived formula targets external fungal growths.
Simple dosing — dropper-ready
Plant-derived formula targets external fungal growths.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
API Pimafix is positioned as a gentle, plant-derived antifungal option favored for routine aquarium care; its natural extract formula makes it affordable and safe for many community and planted tanks. Compared with stronger chemical options on this list, Pimafix offers a cost-effective, low-risk first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate fungal infections, though it may act more slowly and be less effective against severe or resistant infections than Paraguard or Rid Fungus Plus.
Plant-based action — herbal punch
Mild on fish — gentle hug
Simple dosing — dropper-ready
Plant-derived formula targets external fungal growths.
Safe for many community freshwater tanks when used as directed.
Plant-based action — herbal punch
Mild on fish — gentle hug
Simple dosing — dropper-ready
Plant-derived formula targets external fungal growths.
Safe for many community freshwater tanks when used as directed.
$8-14 CAD
Seachem Paraguard
Seachem Paraguard is regarded as a market-leading, broad-spectrum treatment valued for its fast, reliable action across fungal and some external parasitic problems and for being widely used by hobbyists and professionals. Though typically priced higher than entry-level options like Pimafix and API Fungus Cure, Paraguard’s versatility and strong track record give it technical and economic advantages for aquarists who need a single, dependable product for a range of external infections.
Broad-spectrum kill — swiss army
Fast-acting formula — lightning zap
Broad-spectrum kill — swiss army
Fast-acting formula — lightning zap
Review Summary
"Paraguard is widely rated as fast and reliable against fungal and some parasitic problems, with reviewers appreciating its potency and clear dosing; users caution about incompatibility with activated carbon and some invertebrates."
Flexible use — tank team-player
Broad-spectrum product that treats fungal and parasitic external infections.
Flexible use — tank team-player
Broad-spectrum product that treats fungal and parasitic external infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Seachem Paraguard is regarded as a market-leading, broad-spectrum treatment valued for its fast, reliable action across fungal and some external parasitic problems and for being widely used by hobbyists and professionals. Though typically priced higher than entry-level options like Pimafix and API Fungus Cure, Paraguard’s versatility and strong track record give it technical and economic advantages for aquarists who need a single, dependable product for a range of external infections.
Broad-spectrum kill — swiss army
Fast-acting formula — lightning zap
Flexible use — tank team-player
Broad-spectrum product that treats fungal and parasitic external infections.
Works in both freshwater and marine systems with fast action.
Broad-spectrum kill — swiss army
Fast-acting formula — lightning zap
Flexible use — tank team-player
Broad-spectrum product that treats fungal and parasitic external infections.
Works in both freshwater and marine systems with fast action.
$10-18 CAD
API Fungus Cure
API Fungus Cure is a focused antifungal formulation designed to treat established fungal growths efficiently while remaining one of the more budget-friendly choices for hobbyists. It sits between mild botanical remedies and heavy-duty chemicals by offering targeted efficacy at a modest price, though it can be less broad-spectrum than Paraguard and less gentle than Pimafix for sensitive systems.
Spore-targeting hit — precision strike
Safe for most species — calm waters
Spore-targeting hit — precision strike
Safe for most species — calm waters
Review Summary
"API Fungus Cure is often considered effective for common surface fungal infections and fin fungus, though reviewers note it can be harsher on sensitive species and may be less effective on advanced or deep infections."
Clear instructions — no guesswork
Formulated specifically to treat cottony fungal growths and Saprolegnia-like infections.
Clear instructions — no guesswork
Formulated specifically to treat cottony fungal growths and Saprolegnia-like infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
API Fungus Cure is a focused antifungal formulation designed to treat established fungal growths efficiently while remaining one of the more budget-friendly choices for hobbyists. It sits between mild botanical remedies and heavy-duty chemicals by offering targeted efficacy at a modest price, though it can be less broad-spectrum than Paraguard and less gentle than Pimafix for sensitive systems.
Spore-targeting hit — precision strike
Safe for most species — calm waters
Clear instructions — no guesswork
Formulated specifically to treat cottony fungal growths and Saprolegnia-like infections.
Effective when applied early with clear freshwater dosing instructions.
Spore-targeting hit — precision strike
Safe for most species — calm waters
Clear instructions — no guesswork
Formulated specifically to treat cottony fungal growths and Saprolegnia-like infections.
Effective when applied early with clear freshwater dosing instructions.
$8-14 CAD
Kordon Rid Fungus Plus
Kordon Rid Fungus Plus is a heavy-duty antifungal favored for quarantine and acute cases where rapid, aggressive treatment is required; professionals often reach for it when slower remedies fail. Its technical strength and quick action make it well-suited for severe infections, but that power comes with higher cost and a greater chance of stressing delicate invertebrates or planted aquaria compared with gentler products like Maracyn Oxy or Pimafix.
Dual-action strength — double punch
Tough-case cure — heavy hitter
Dual-action strength — double punch
Tough-case cure — heavy hitter
Review Summary
"Kordon Rid Fungus Plus is reported to work for many routine fungal outbreaks and is easy to dose, but users complain about strong odor, risks to invertebrates, and mixed success on severe cases."
Salt & fresh usable — universal passport
Concentrated fungicide for persistent or stubborn external fungal infections.
Salt & fresh usable — universal passport
Concentrated fungicide for persistent or stubborn external fungal infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Kordon Rid Fungus Plus is a heavy-duty antifungal favored for quarantine and acute cases where rapid, aggressive treatment is required; professionals often reach for it when slower remedies fail. Its technical strength and quick action make it well-suited for severe infections, but that power comes with higher cost and a greater chance of stressing delicate invertebrates or planted aquaria compared with gentler products like Maracyn Oxy or Pimafix.
Dual-action strength — double punch
Tough-case cure — heavy hitter
Salt & fresh usable — universal passport
Concentrated fungicide for persistent or stubborn external fungal infections.
Suitable for treating larger tanks or repeated treatment cycles.
Dual-action strength — double punch
Tough-case cure — heavy hitter
Salt & fresh usable — universal passport
Concentrated fungicide for persistent or stubborn external fungal infections.
Suitable for treating larger tanks or repeated treatment cycles.
$12-22 CAD
Fritz Mardel Maracyn Oxy
Fritz Mardel Maracyn Oxy uses an oxygen-based approach aimed at providing a gentler, non-antibiotic topical treatment appropriate for sensitive or planted tanks and for aquarists avoiding traditional chemical therapies. While it may not replace broad-spectrum leaders like Paraguard in severe or mixed-infection scenarios, Maracyn Oxy offers a mid-priced, lower-risk technical alternative for external fungal issues and is often chosen when compatibility with invertebrates and plants is a priority.
Antibacterial focus — not fungal
Rapid wound care — germ zapper
Antibacterial focus — not fungal
Rapid wound care — germ zapper
Review Summary
"Fritz Maracyn-Oxy is commonly praised for quickly treating bacterial infections like columnaris (often mistaken for fungus) and being plant-safe, while reviewers emphasize it is an antibacterial—not an antifungal—and won't treat true fungal diseases or some sensitive invertebrates."
Straightforward labeling — easy pick
Oxytetracycline-based antibiotic primarily for external and systemic bacterial infections.
Straightforward labeling — easy pick
Oxytetracycline-based antibiotic primarily for external and systemic bacterial infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Fritz Mardel Maracyn Oxy uses an oxygen-based approach aimed at providing a gentler, non-antibiotic topical treatment appropriate for sensitive or planted tanks and for aquarists avoiding traditional chemical therapies. While it may not replace broad-spectrum leaders like Paraguard in severe or mixed-infection scenarios, Maracyn Oxy offers a mid-priced, lower-risk technical alternative for external fungal issues and is often chosen when compatibility with invertebrates and plants is a priority.
Antibacterial focus — not fungal
Rapid wound care — germ zapper
Straightforward labeling — easy pick
Oxytetracycline-based antibiotic primarily for external and systemic bacterial infections.
Useful alongside antifungal treatments to manage secondary bacterial complications.
Antibacterial focus — not fungal
Rapid wound care — germ zapper
Straightforward labeling — easy pick
Oxytetracycline-based antibiotic primarily for external and systemic bacterial infections.
Useful alongside antifungal treatments to manage secondary bacterial complications.