Heater burn...what to do?

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 02 Nov 2005, 19:42

My little albino BN woke up this morning with an ugly heater burn. At least I assume it's a heater burn. Last night he was active and w/o a mark and this morning he had a white and pink bullseye on his back.

Should I do anything about this or just let time and good water quality to the job? So far no signs of infection at all.

Thanks!!

Andy

Post by **Silurus** » 02 Nov 2005, 19:46

Sounds like a heater burn alright.

Time and good water quality should do the job.

jurassic_pork · Post by **jurassic_pork** » 02 Nov 2005, 20:28

Small water changes daily did the trick when my common got burnt

Soon learnt to buy heater guards

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 03 Nov 2005, 09:56

A dose of either Pimafix or Melafix would probably not be a bad idea, along with the "keep water extra clean" policy.

Giving the fish a better place than behind the heater to hide would probably also help a bit...

And a heater guard of course...

--
Mats

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 03 Nov 2005, 14:24

I added a heater guard immediately (don't know why I didn't have it there all along). and am thinking about melafix. I just don't like how the smell lingers forever with melafix. I have wood canopies and they seem to soak up the smell like a sponge.

I was concerned about him yesterday because he stayed in the same spot all day at the front of the aquarium. Today he is back hanging on the glass, behind the heater. I guess they never learn...

j4782 · Post by **j4782** » 03 Nov 2005, 16:07

Giving the fish a better place than behind the heater to hide would probably also help a bit...

I agree. This might be why your guy returned to that spot.

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 05 Nov 2005, 01:55

I noticed that the burn looked a little worse today, after looking better yesterday. There is a red line along his dorsal and the first three rays are just spikes without any connective tissue. I added melafix immediately.

He is active and doesn't seem affected at all. Is there anything else I should do for him, or just let the melafix do its job? I really need to keep him alive because he has girlfriends waiting for him to grow just a little bit more...

barksten · Post by **barksten** » 05 Nov 2005, 19:12

As already mentioned two times in posts above.. Get him a better hidingplace so he dont need to hide behind the heater.

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 05 Nov 2005, 20:34

he has plenty of other places to hide; driftwood cave, castle, lots of plants, etc. etc....

I was asking about treatment, not prevention. Thank you.

drpleco · Post by **drpleco** » 07 Nov 2005, 04:36

well...he's not looking too good tonight. His dorsal looks the same and I suspect an internal infection has caused some paralysis. He sits motionless, except occasionally he'll spasm and spin around. I found him on his back, breathing heavily, not too long ago.

I gently set him in the center of a sword plant where he is supported and upright. I don't think he'll last the night. Poor little guy. Thanks to everyone for helping, but I think this one was out of our hands (at least I like to think so.)