There is no need to use a fungus elminiator every time you change his water. You could actually do more harm than good treating for things that are not present. If Melafix was bad for any sort of fish or invert, it would say on the bottle. It is a tea tree oil base, and is a natural product. I don't think it would harm any fish, especially because there is a betta product out called betta redmedy or something like that, and it's a tea tree oil. Same stuff. He looks beautiful if you ask me.
By the way, I like how you've summarized everything for me. It makes diagnosing a lot easier. Although a time frame for the beginning of the problems would be nice as well (no biggie though). Do you have an air stone in the tank with him? It's not necessary, but oxygen does help a stressed fish. The less work he has to do to get oxygen (in a low oxygen atmosphere - water) the more energy he has to fight what he's got. If you already have one, good.
So I'm taking it from the second post you have, that he's eating now... that's a good sign. Whatever he is eating continue to feed him. It sounds like you've got things under control. There really isn't any illness or disease that I know of that would have these symptoms. Sometimes as fish parents we over react to things (although tattered fins is nothing to ignore and neither is not eating).
As for the eating question you had, fish can live for 5 days just on the stored fats in their body. He was obviously eating something or he wouldn't have lasted for 2 weeks. There seems to be hope for the little guy, and I hope he pulls through.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

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