Albino Oscar has had tail fins chewed nearly off

[PBARick]

My new Albino Oscar had his tail chewed on over night, so I got a breeder net to separate him and feed him directly. My main question is, will his tail fin grow back if he gets healthy eating habits and time to heal?

I'm new to this forum and cant seem to find the answers in the search criteria, so I apologize if this is redundant to this forum.

Thanks

[mommy1]

As long as the damage isn't to bad fins will usually grow back. You have to keep the water extra clean or infection will set in.
My question is what are you going to do when the oscar heals, put him back in the same situation that got his fins nipped off overnight?

[Aeonflame]

Your biggest concern right now is fungal infections. This can happen in a matter of hours, and spreads rapidly. As mommy1 said, clean water is imperative. How big is the fish? What tankmates does it live with?

[PBARick]

Currently his tail is nearly down to the skin in some spots. Maybe 1/16" at minimum. I could move him to my other tank but there are some nippers there also. Currently His tank mates include a black convict, firemouth and 2 jewel cichlids, all are smaller than him. I have one Tiger Oscar that is slightly larger at approx. 2.5 inches. (Albino is about 2") I have 3 Bala sharks 2 Chinese algae eaters and one clown loach. I'm sure it was the smaller cichlids as the Tiger paid the Albino absolutely no attention. Water is super clean and the Albino is eating well, on dried worms and a frozen cube food that he gets a small chunk of in the evening. He seems ok, and I'm prepared to try to get him bigger quicker than his tank mates, hopefully to detour this from happening again. Thanks for the thoughts!

[abrooks12376]

What size tank you got there? That stocking is going to prove tricky as they all grow out.

[PBARick]

Its a 55 std. I wanted an aggressive tank, I think I've got it. I can see that the Albino is already starting to regrow his tail fin. So I will keep him separated for a while, and possibly move him to my other tank also a 55 but Its not as aggressive. That tank has 3 black skirts, 2 cherry barbs, one platy, 2 clown loaches, 2 neons, couple of tiny catfish, one good size redtail shark and a Pleco.

[abrooks12376]

One single oscar all by itself should really have a 75 to itself, they grow fast, eat a ton and poo even more.. very messy and very prone to hith/hlle depending on who you listen too. You're not going to win like this.

[PBARick]

Picked up another used tank today off of Craigslist, hella cheap. Will be cleaning the hard water stains and sorting thru all the equipment that came with the tank to see what is useable and what needs replaced. Its approx. 55 gallons but a tall tank not as deep as my other 55. This will be my new home for my 2" Albino Oscar. Thanks for all the information gang!

[showmebutterfly]

Congrats on the new tank.

[SueD]

Sounds like the best idea for the albino. They're a pretty nice looking fish.