Fin-Nipping Zebra Danios Targeting Hillstream Loach

[desolesiii]

Hey everyone. I have 6 zebra danios, 6 corydoras, 8 dwarf chain loaches and 3 hillstream loaches in a 40 gallon. I recently added a third hillstream loach (a female) to the tank. I looked into the tank and saw blood on her fins! Something had been taking a bite out of her. Then, I kid you not, I saw a zebra danio bite her. She sticks on the glass and is very docile compared to the other two hillstream males (which are also a little bigger). I immediately took the zebra danios out (they're food hogs and have been a real problem for me). My question is this: should I put her in my 10 gallon with the celestial pearl danios to recover or just leave her in the main tank? 

I'm worried because I keep seeing the dwarf chain loaches going up to her. I don't think they're biting her, but I'm freaking out. I had no idea zebra danios would do this. They seem to leave the other hillstream loaches alone, but I really want to have a female in the tank. The males will fight sometimes, and they seem better with the female around? It's my favorite fish and I want to do whatever I can to protect them.

Anyway... thanks in advance for your advice.

Also, is she a goner!? 😢

[desolesiii]

She is also struggling to stick to to the wall because of her damaged fins.

[Colu]

You could Qarantine and monitor  it will probably heal on its own or you add aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 3 gallons for one week

[Hobbit]

Salt is an option like @Colu suggested. Or if you don’t want to move her, you could also try adding StressCoat to the tank. I’ve had some fish recover from what seemed like bad injuries. (I also came to the forum to freak out.) As long as the wounds don’t get infected, she should heal just fine.

I’m not sure about the danios and loaches though. Hopefully someone else can weigh in on them.