gex Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Arghhhhhhh ! Help !!! My mums red-eyed puffer fish burnt its self on its heater (god knows how or why) and we dont kno what to do for it, the fish is about 6cm long and the burn mark/hole thingy is about 4-7mm. The puffer is breathing really heavly and really isnt looking good. PLEASE post if you can help or email [email protected]. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gex Posted March 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Please help ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Is it possible it got stuck between the heater and the tank? If so, make sure it can't happen again. I know little about puffers and remedies but would suggest some Stresscoat. I think this is the product that helps produce a protective slime coating on fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Hi Gex, don't know if you can help the puffer but go and buy a heater cover to stop any other fish from burning themselves! Cheers Robbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 Some salt would probably help a bit, but I think it should already be in brackish water anyway? So that might be redundant. Something like Melafix would be a good idea too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 I agree with Caryl. Stresscoat is the best sort of thing. How is the puffer doing??? This sadly happens quite often and is something we do not think about until the burn happens. I hope your Mum's puffer is not too badly burnt and pulls through. Fins crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Posted March 14, 2004 Report Share Posted March 14, 2004 heater guards, quarrentine, and melafix (dosed to package directions) and he'll be right in no time. a fish of mine once got scorched by a heater and a few other fish started eating him, starting at the burnt bit - quarrentine is useful for sick fish. in consideration of the heater - the heater guards stop the fishies sitting next to the glass of the heater and getting roasted however most of the time i have noticed that fish hide there because it is a nice secluded place. as a result when i set up a heater i place it so that my filters push water across them - makes the water around the heater turbulent and therefore a much less sheltered place for fish to hide. definately go with the heater guard though. definately... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gex Posted March 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 Cheers ppl, ive put salt etc in the water (their fresh water puffers), and whats that other M word you were all using ? where can i get sum and what exactly does it do ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 15, 2004 Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 Melafix is a medication and can be found at pet shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfish_dude Posted March 15, 2004 Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 most fish shops sell melafix...should be easy to get Hope he gets better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Posted March 16, 2004 Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 melafix is a melaleuca (tea tree oil) based solution (1% melaleuca). It is a herbal-type remedy that (in humans) works to kill bacteria, sooth and aid in the healing process. Some clever person thought of adding it to fish tanks, found that it works, and melafix is a dilute solution designed for that very purpose. the propoganda states that it helps fish heal up to 5 times faster, i have not cared to make the comparison, however comparing similar cases in my own fish i have found it to help heal what would otherwise (without medication) be terminal ailments. you can also make it yourself and get 'pond strength' stuff if you have larger tanks or a need for an ongoing supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_au Posted March 18, 2004 Report Share Posted March 18, 2004 Just a word of caution with Melafix ! South american catfish; - whiptails, sturisoma, falowella, bristle nose etc don't like it !!! Even at half dose like for tetras etc is more often than not fatal. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morz Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 i've never had problems with melafix treatment along with my bristlenoses in the tank.. they seem to be alright with it... Alan_au, why is it bad for them? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 i have had my tank double-dosed (due to plants) for about 3 weeks now to no ill effect. 60L tank 15ml of MelaFix per day, no water changes ever. tank contains guppies and fry (still breeding), bristlenose, khulis, cardinal tetras, black widow tetras, glowlight tetras, and a few others. now, it could be the plants rendering it ineffective or something else. as with all medication, if unsure - don't use it. i would hate to say 'no, go ahead' and have your fish die off. as far as methlyene blue goes - the asthetic downside to it is that it can stain the seals in your tank blue. i have a tank that was used with it about 10 years ago and the seals still have blue patches in them. solution: use MB in a quarantine tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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