Remove the divider?

[Benno87]

If be seriously thinking about setting up another tank quickley if possible if you don't want to get rid of any, even if it's just another 55 at least then you can spread aggression out slightly. From previous experiences I don't think it will take long for another fight to start once the divider is out. Would suck to see such a lovely fish flogged to death, he looks awesome.

 

[Words]

Damn, that's a shame to see.

 

[Buphy]

So it's not looking good. While I took the EBJD out for a bath I tried taking out the divider. The JD pretty quickly went over to the new side and started fighting with the bleekeri. Granted the bleekeri's side was far more desirable as far as hiding went and he didn't chase him more than 1/2 way across the tank so it may be something that can be solved with enough hiding, but that still seems risky. I fear the longer the divider is up, the less likely things are to work out.

Side note, EBJD has his spunk back. Actually locked jaws willingly with the JD. Had to take him out of the bath before I finished the water change (did like 60-70%) and hadn't put the divider back. They postured for alittle bit but when they locked jaws I instantly broke it up and added the divider and finished filling the tank.

 

[F1FlowerHornA1]

So it's not looking good. While I took the EBJD out for a bath I tried taking out the divider. The JD pretty quickly went over to the new side and started fighting with the bleekeri. Granted the bleekeri's side was far more desirable as far as hiding went and he didn't chase him more than 1/2 way across the tank so it may be something that can be solved with enough hiding, but that still seems risky. I fear the longer the divider is up, the less likely things are to work out.

Side note, EBJD has his spunk back. Actually locked jaws willingly with the JD. Had to take him out of the bath before I finished the water change (did like 60-70%) and hadn't put the divider back. They postured for alittle bit but when they locked jaws I instantly broke it up and added the divider and finished filling the tank.

Option 1, most desirable : If you have the room and some extra cash, buy a second tank. Maybe 40g long -> 55g
Option 2 : Rehome some fish, leaving the divider in can only work for so long. If their aggresion is there it's only a matter of 'when that divider comes out'.
Option 3, least desirable : Remove the divider altogether

 

[F1FlowerHornA1]

Have you tried putting the red light on while they are all divided up?

 

[ehh]

I think removing the divider is already not option. The tank sounds like there is a lot of fighting going on. i think you have no option but to set up another tank or rehome so of your stock.

 

[Buphy]

Looking into details of rehoming now... Still gonna wait till everyone is healthy though.

 

[ShadowP]

No rearrangement should be necessary. Simply leave the divider for now and swap both fish from their side to the other for a day or three at most. Then remove the divider. They should (fairly peacefully) return to their respective areas. If that doesn't work, then consider rearrangements, and finally separate tanks if nothing else works either.

Just saw the pic too... gonna take 7 months for him to grow them back...

 

[Buphy]

I know ='( I liked his long flowing top fin... He'll make it though. He seems to be itching to get on the other side of the divider for round 2...

 

[ShadowP]

There's a bit of overlap of the split dorsal and cannot be readily seen in this photo. The actual split extends almost 2/3 into the fin as the result of his battle for dominance with the angels some 3 weeks earlier.
On Jan 07, 2015 he lost another battle with a titanium coated barber's scissors when I trimmed the dorsal below the split into a nicely smooth and rounded form.

The results ten weeks after the trim below.

And around 5 months shown below

And 7 months...
If it starts growing back all raggedy uneven, you might want to consider trimming it smooth so it grows back even. Gonna take a while either way. Wish you the best.