Help - fish got burned from heater

[nzhang1001]

My Texas cichlid is sick and I saw him lay against the heater, but did not realize until... he swims away with a couple of burn marks (finger nail size)
How should I treat this? Will he get scar?
Thanks in advance.

[jm1212]

keep the water super clean

[nzhang1001]

Thank you.
Should I use melafix?
Appreciate any input.

[jm1212]

that would also be a good idea to keep any secondary infections from occuring. it would be better to move him to a hospital or QT though to make sure he isnt picked on by any other fish in the tank.

[nzhang1001]

I've done that.
Will the scales fall off and re-grow new ones, provided the fish recovers? The marks are whitish with dark margins.
Thanks a lot.

[Tycoon]

how did your heater burn the fish? The heater isn't supposed to do that... you sure its not malfunctioning or anything?

[unbeatablec]

dont worry, my pleco sucks on the heater and gets burned all the time hes so stupid lol

[12 Volt Man]

I don't think your heater burned your fish.

He may have been laying against the heater, but the damage is likely from something else - such as another fish..

a heater in water could not 'cook' the skin like that, and fish like plecos "suck" on heaters all the time.

best thing to do is not to worry - those sorts of minor skin injuries heal fast - the addition of freshwater aquarium salt and a water change is all you really need to do.

is he the only fish in the tank or does he have tankmates?

[nzhang1001]

Thanks guys


I don't think your heater burned your fish.
He may have been laying against the heater, but the damage is likely from something else - such as another fish..
a heater in water could not 'cook' the skin like that, and fish like plecos "suck" on heaters all the time.
best thing to do is not to worry - those sorts of minor skin injuries heal fast - the addition of freshwater aquarium salt and a water change is all you really need to do.
is he the only fish in the tank or does he have tankmates?
He is the only one in tank. I held the heater under water and after 30sec I could not stand the heat. I remembered the fish laid against it for several minutes. I think he was out of it for a while.
Thank you.

[12 Volt Man]

hmmm.. is he okay otherwise?

its really weird for a fish to sit there that long and get burned without moving...

[jm1212]

it sounds like it could be malfunctioning then. what is the temp on the tank?

i also think its a bit odd that he would just sit there.

[rosita]

Man, I'd get rid of that heater immediately and get a good one like a Visi-Therm Stealth. That heater is just this short of going haywire. Just a precaution . . . :)

[nzhang1001]

Water temp is constant at 84. I tried another glass heater with my hand, same thing. Stealth is the way to go.
He seems active now. Can a fish faint?
Now what's the best to do to help him recover without scar if possible?
Thanks everyone.

[rosita]

As previously mentioned, keep your water super clean; I've had good luck with Melafix as well, although alot of others don't go for it.
I've had fish with scrapes/scales missing (got a young severum right now with a shoulder scrape, scales hanging off) and they've healed up just fine. Good luck!!! :)

[iamgroovy]

Man, I'd get rid of that heater immediately and get a good one like a Visi-Therm Stealth. That heater is just this short of going haywire. Just a precaution . . . :)

I've had problems with two Visi-Therm Stealth heaters. Both were 50w and the first one quit working after about 6 months use. I got a replacement and I have to set it at 75 to keep the water about 82. I read on this forum that others have had similar issues with them. I have a glass heater in my other tank and have never had a problem with it. Yours must have been malfunctioning. If you get a Stealth, keep an eye on and check your temp frequently until you know it's going to work ok.

[12 Volt Man]

Ebo Jagers and Stealths are the most popular brands right now.

the Ebos have an indicator light.

the Stealths do not so I am told..

[nzhang1001]

Update... the fish ate a little this morning, and the burns reduced to pea sized marks and darkened - like birth marks on human.
Thanks.

[rwilliams254]

Two things will happen:
1) He'll learn not to do that
2) He won't learn and will do that again.

[nzhang1001]

Two things will happen:
1) He'll learn not to do that
2) He won't learn and will do that again.
Chances are, I'll learn and get some heater guards.

[PufferFan]

you can grab a heater withyour had ... there not hot just warm... it wast the heater

[boomerjr91]

I had a pleco that burned himself once. I bought a visi-therm deluxe and haven't been disappointed. It also come with a pilot light unlike the stealth and it is submersible. Big Al's has it on sale right now also.