Spotted Headstander

[bikerfish]

Hi All
4 days ago I noticed 1 of my spotted headstanders had a badly torn tail I let him be for a day and kept a close eye on him , next day torn a bit more, most of the time he hid in the corner , but came out to eat and the other 5 headstanders all chased him so went back to his corner.
He is now in emergency tank and is eating ok but rest of time just not moving about tank. He can swim ok so that is not the problem.
They are shoaling fish and so he really needs to be back in main tank? but if he is put back in there not sure what the other headstanders will do ?
Any idears please as feel he is going to die if he stays in emergency tank but could also if goes back in main tank ? local lfs said it is kinder to put him to sleep and they will do this if he was to go there as they are delicate fish ?
cathy

 

[MBOU]

Jeez, dont put him to sleep for a torn tail, they really arent all that delicate!!

I wonder why the others dont like him? Is he any smaller than the others?

Can he stay in a breeding trap until he is healed up and well fed etc? Give them a chance to calm down?

Also if you have space/spare tank/can make a bigger trap et, can you seperate off all but one of the other headstanders for most of a day?

Leave the submissive and beaten up headstander in with one other (not the main bully) until they settle down together as friends and slowly reintroduce the others one at a time. Trying to change the dynamics of the group.

Failing that, find a better LFS that knows more about the species and sells them that could take your odd one out and put him in with others.

 

[bikerfish]

Hi he is the same size as the others, they squabble all the time with each other , It would not work with just 2 together as the more dominate one will keep going at him till he dies this is why they recommended 6 or more to group .
I did not think of fry tank so at least he can see the other fish and would keep him separate from the others, thinking best option for him , but not sure it would be tall enough for him as he is about 2 inches long and most of time head down and tail up?
They are nippy fish and one started nipping at my brn and he is fully grown and it took him several flicks of his tail before he was left alone , but great fish to watch .
cathy

 

[bikerfish]

Hi went in a local store to get my fry tank and there was 2 different brands 1st was of the local shop and 2nd was a top name and after getting both out of box they were identical except the local one was half the price
Headstander is now in main tank but in the fry tank and you can see he is much happier and is eating some brine shrimp at mo , thinking he is going to have to be in there a while as his tail and one of bottom fins have really been chomped on but all looking good for him now
cathy