Rainbow with nipped tail

[HeatherW]

Hi guys - my rainbow has part of his tail missing. I posted this under "big rainbow chasing small rainbow" but no one has chimed in. I need to know what to do for him!

 

[Delapool]

Hi, is he still getting nipped? Did you get any answers?

 

[HeatherW]

I moved him to a different tank so he is ok for now. How long will it take for his tail to grow back? Do I need to do anything for him? Will he be ok to move back when he is healed?

 

[Delapool]

Makes good sense. I would say a few days to a week or so I've had it take depending on how severe.

I've tried API stress coat or a half dose of melafix. Sometimes I think this helps but I've never tested properly.

Edit - can be tricky. You can only try and see if the fish settle down.

 

[HeatherW]

Thanks! I'm worried about him. I thought rainbows liked to be with others of their kind but I guess my old guy thought my new guy was competition for who is the biggest boy in the tank

 

[leannepink]

Hi no rainbows shouldnt b in the same tank together, they wil fight. Only one per tank :-(

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[Raleighfishnerd]

Rainbow fish are schooling fish that like fairly densely planted tanks. Some fin nipping can happen within the school trying to setup their hierarchy

 

[leannepink]

Sorry I thought u meant rainbow shark sorry

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[HeatherW]

Lol that us what I thought, but I have never had any fun nipping before. So after this guy heals up, I just move him back and try again?

 

[Raleighfishnerd]

Yeah just make sure you have plenty of plants that will break sight lines if they are being chased

 

[Fishboy791]

They pretty much covered it all.