Serpae tetra attacking my Bleeding Heart Tetras?

I have one serpae and three Bleeding heart tetras. Of coarse I believe my serpae is attacking the bleeding hearts. I have two questions.. One of my Bleeding hearts looks like it has a milky white layer of I don't know what over one of it's eyes.. and this is the one that has most of it's back fin nipped off. Does this eye film have anything to do with the fin nipping, or does it have another disease?


Secondly, if I take the serpae out, will the nipped back fins of all of them (some are more nipped than others), grow back? If they can, what do i need to do other than pich the serpae?


Thanks!

Serpae tetra attacking my Bleeding Heart Tetras?
The milky layer over the fishes eye would not be directly related to the fin nipping. If it is on the eye and only on the eye, it's most likely a bacterial infection that will require treatment. Personally I would suggest using a true antibiotic such as Maracyn or Maracyn 2.





If the spot covers the eye and some surrounding area or skin, then you are most likely dealing with a protozoan infestation. This should be treated with a good parasite medication such as Clout or Maracide.





As for the nipped fins, yes they will grow back once the nipping stops. Just keep the water clean and the fish well fed and watch for any fungus that sometimes takes advantage of injuries.





Yes, to stop the nipping you will have to find a new home for the serpae.





MM
Reply:How big is your tank?





Most tetras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups. Keeping them isolated from their own species leads to anxiety in the form of hiding in smaller tetras and aggressiveness in bigger ones. Serpae are known to be very nippy. Your fish would be much better off if you rehomed the lone serpae and got more bleeding hearts. But don't overstock.





Milky eyes are usually bacterial, but I wouldn't medicate, personally. Lowering stress by removing the serpae, and keeping the water as clean as you can by doing partial changes anytime the nitrates are above 12.5 mg/l is the best medicine for your fish right now.





Good luck.
Reply:You're probably right about the serpae. They are one of the more aggressive tetras, liking to nip fins and should be kept with


Blind Cave, Buenos Aires, Colombian and/or Silvert Tip tetras. The Bleeding Heart is a very sensitive tetra and with the nipped fins, and stress from the nipping, could develop secondary infections. The fins should grow back. There is a medication called Melafix which can promote healing and help stave off bacterial infections.
Reply:my fish had that same thing over his eye it just took about 1 month for it to go away and now its fine. about the fins take the serpaes out a the fins will eventually grow back
Reply:Two great answers Serpae Tetra are best kept in groups. Since you only have one its defending the territory normally kept by the schooling group. Now the fin nipping can be due to the illness the other fish has, fish can sense sick fish and usually don't want them in their territory. The Mela-fix is an excellent choice to help with the eye infection. Check your Nitrates this can be the cause of the eye infection. Usually things like infections start from high nitrates which causes stress and/or fish attacks which causes the same stress. Buy more Serpae Tetras and treat your tank.
Reply:All fins grow back thats not a problem but its that milky white layer im thinking of. Is it on the eye or around it or what. is it like little white dots


if its white dots you have ich


if its on the eye you might have a bacterial infection. is the eye popping out if so you have pop eye


whatever you do and however you treat your tetras remember they are delicate and you must apply half the recommended dosage of medicine

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