Tail fin split? Wtf?

[Cookie*]

I have a 7" Chocolate cichlid (had him for 3 months now)in a 55 gallon with a 2" Botia Striata loach and 6" L91 pleco. Neither fish will get near the Chocolate, so I know it is not from another fish, so what could cause the Chocolate's tail fin to split within hours? I would post a pic but my camera is loaned out for the week. It looks like a straight tear at the center of his tail fin. There is also nothing for him to really catch his tail on (full tank shot below)-



Wtf did he/I do? I have hard water which he does not like, is this possibly stress related? His fins have been absolutely gorgeous up until now.

 

[Cookie*]

Bump.

 

[theunytedone]

there's no way it could be the L91?

 

[Dark Jester]

Hard to ever know for sure what happened. I'd guess something spooked him when he was next to the edge of that shelf and he slapped his tail fin against the edge zipping away. Should heal up in a week or so.

 

[Haveyourtea]

Could be stress, or he could have gotten it snagged, but that amazing tail will heal right up in a few days!

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I would expect it to heal up within a week or so.

 

[Cookie*]

Well, it has been about 2 weeks, but it is just about all healed. I never had a fishes tail tear like that and thought it may not heal. Anyhow, in a day or two he will again look like the perfect specimen to my relief.

 

[Dark Jester]

Cool, glad to hear he's doing better.