Heater Burn/Disease????

Well I have a 300 watt heater in my 120 gallon aquarium and just recently my Black Bullhead has been sleeping/standing against it and the wall. I notice he hardly comes down for food like he usually does and I also noticed 1 white streak (looks like a burn from the heater on his head it is a pure white like it changed his skin color), and one along his other side. Is this hurting him in any way? Killing him?? Now he has lost his appetite I think as he threw up his regular meal of worms today after 7 minutes of digestion. What's going wrong?

 

He probably is getting burned. Getting a heater guard should help.

-Chelle

 

Would getting burned and coming back for more have any effect on his appetite?

 

Arnt all ur natives cold water?

 

Native fish are classified as cold water because they can live down to 38 degrees but prefer temps around 73 degrees. They are more active and hungry then.

 

If he's burned and in pain, chances are he's not going to feel like eating.

-Chelle

 

I didnt know that thanks

 

unplug the heater for a while until ur water temp goes down a lil bit then put it back in ... :roll:

 

A burn mark would not show up as a white mark, it would be a simple discoloration in his skin. A burn would not cause him to not eat, it would cause him to not go near the heater for a little while. Your fish is most likely sick. I cant say how to treat a flowerhorn because I have never owned one but search the internet, not fourms, on how to treat him. Find out if they are sensitive to petstore meds or if aquarium salt will treat it. You also need to clean your tank, do a 30% water change and gravel vaccum, and test your water.

 

We are talking about a Black Bullhead not a Flowerhorn.

 

Some catfish (like the bullhead) have skin, not scales. If a burn is bad enough, it can destroy that part of the skin and expose the white tissue underneath.

-Chelle

 

Oh yeah I forgot about that skin thing. Well his burn healed already and but I havent seen him eat yet. His younger brother eats tho so I dont' know.

 

What are your water parameters?

-Chelle

 

Mmk Chelle I have been waiting for you to ask me that one of these days lol. I truthfully don't know how to find that stuff out. I can go search for the stuff if you tell me what I need to give you your answer. I have no testing stuff.... :roll:

P.S. The northern isn't as nearly as hungry and aggressive as he used to be even in the morning when he is starving. He will eat them by the time I get home but he used to snap them right up right away.....could this be caused by a disease such as the one the Bullhead might have? Btw, I moved the Bullhead to a hospital tank.

 

You really need to buy the kits. They come with easy to follow instructions.

-Chelle