Battle Weary Loach

[astex]

Hi all,

I've had the same 5 clowns for at least 8 years now. Over the weekend there was a fight between two of the loaches. I think it was over a favorite hiding spot as the one that usually hid there has been replaced. On the plus side, they both seem to be healing well although one got significantly more damage to the face/eye area than the other.

My question is the loser of this match now stays at the other side of the tank from the other 4 and has been hiding in the upper corner of the tank.

I don't know whether it would be more stressful for the loser's healing to stay in the tank as is in the new hiding spot or to pull it from the tank to heal in a quarantine tank.

Also, any advice for making them one happy loach family again? I'm considering removing the fought over rock, adding a bunch of PVC/driftwood, and rearranging everything again but if it won't significantly help, I won't. I'm also working on finding a spot for a bigger tank and getting it setup ASAP for them.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks,
Bridget

[Ardillakilla]

My alpha loach was constantly chasing the others. I added a strong powerhead (there wasn't much current prior) and that aggression went away.

[redshark1]

Are there sufficient hiding places? Sounds like the displaced loach is stressed but I would want to keep it in the tank unless harrassed.