API

About API

API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) is an American brand focused on aquarium water quality — test kits, water conditioners, pH adjusters, fish treatments, and food. TaraPet stocks a wide API range in the UAE for freshwater, saltwater, and pond keepers.

API Product Ranges at TaraPet

• Water test kits — Freshwater, Saltwater, Reef, and Pond Master Test Kits, plus single-parameter kits
• Water conditioners — Tap Water Conditioner, Stress Coat, Stress Zyme, Quick Start
• pH adjusters — pH Up, pH Down, Proper pH
• Fish treatments — Melafix, Pimafix, and their marine versions
• Fish food — tropical, cichlid, goldfish, and bottom-feeder pellets and flakes
• Plant care — Root Tabs, Leaf Zone, CO2 Booster
• Pond care — Pond Melafix, Algaefix, Accu-Clear, Pond Zyme
• Filtration media pouches — Bio-Chem Zorb, Nitra-Zorb, Phos-Zorb

Popular API Categories

• Water Test Kits — the Freshwater Master Test Kit measures pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
• Water Conditioners — Stress Coat and Tap Water Conditioner treat tap water. See Fish Water & Plants Care.
• Biological Starters — Quick Start adds bacteria to cycle and stock a new tank.
• Fish Medications — Melafix and Pimafix are used to treat common bacterial and fungal issues.
• Aquarium Plant Care — Root Tabs and Leaf Zone feed rooted and stem plants.
• pH Adjusters — pH Up, pH Down, and Proper pH set and hold aquarium pH.

How Aquarists Use API

API is most associated with water testing: the Master Test Kits use liquid reagents to read pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, which is the routine that keeps fish healthy. Stress Coat conditions tap water and adds a protective coat, while Quick Start supplies the bacteria that start the nitrogen cycle. Melafix and Pimafix are dosing treatments for sick fish, the food range covers tropical and cichlid species, and the pond line carries the same conditioners and treatments in larger sizes.

Most Used API Product Families at TaraPet

A few API families cover most needs. The Master Test Kits are the core testing line, Stress Coat and Quick Start are the everyday conditioners and starters, and Melafix and Pimafix are the common treatments. Customers often pair API with other aquarium brands stocked at TaraPet such as Seachem, Sera, and JBL for filtration, food, and additional water care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which API test kit should I start with?
The Freshwater Master Test Kit is the usual starting point — it reads pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, the four values that matter most for a new or established tank.

What does API Stress Coat do?
Stress Coat removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water and adds aloe vera to help protect the fish’s slime coat during water changes and handling.

What is API Quick Start used for?
Quick Start adds live nitrifying bacteria, which lets you cycle a new aquarium and add fish sooner than waiting for bacteria to develop on their own.

Should I remove carbon when using API Melafix?
Follow the label dosing for the treatment period. Activated carbon can remove medications from the water, so it is usually taken offline while treating and returned afterwards.

Do you deliver API across the UAE?
Yes — TaraPet delivers the API range to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all other emirates.