I am a new fish tank owner and am enjoying and learning this new hobby. I have a 10 gallon tank (yes, I should have purchased a 20 gallon tank) and have always noted the hierarchial activity of the fish--both within and between the different kinds of fish in the tank. I recently noticed that a smaller eon tetra was spending more time alone and appeared to have its tail nipped--I also noticed that another larger eon appeared to corral the smaller one into one area of the tank. I also have 4 black shirt tetra, 3 transparency tetra, 2 albino cats, and a total of 3 neon tetra in the tank. I don't feel I'm looking at a fin rot type of event. I use "Stress Coat" and drops to prevent parasite and ick. My testing of the water comes up within normal levels, and I have plants in the tank, filter, temperature gauge, heater, and light so I think I'm doing what I need to do to provide a good environment for the fish. I recently isolated the tail-nipped tetra to interrupt it from any inter-fish dynamic in the tank. Please offer comments and suggestions--will the nipped tail grow back? thanks for your time!
