Barbels Gone.!

[JohnG]

Help........ I've just set up a new tank, all cycled etc. I've set the tank up for a Betta and four Corydoras Paleatus......... When I put them in they all went and hid for a day or two. Now I've noticed that two of them seem to have no barbels/ whiskers.!!!! Other than this they seem healthy enough but will this cause them problems??? Will they grow back??? I've got really fine, smooth gravel on the bottom which is the same as my other tank, My other Corys are fine so I don't think this is the problem............... Any advice/ help would really be appreciated...... John G

 

[ant0]

disappearing barbells is the sign of bacterial infection, couldnt tell you which though. Did you quarantine them? If they are treated correctly then they will grow back however they will need to be put into a hospital tank; corys use the barbells as a very important organ to find their food

 

[Coryologist]

Help........ I've just set up a new tank, all cycled etc. I've set the tank up for a Betta and four Corydoras Paleatus......... When I put them in they all went and hid for a day or two. Now I've noticed that two of them seem to have no barbels/ whiskers.!!!! Other than this they seem healthy enough but will this cause them problems??? Will they grow back??? I've got really fine, smooth gravel on the bottom which is the same as my other tank, My other Corys are fine so I don't think this is the problem............... Any advice/ help would really be appreciated...... John G

Hi. In my experience (which is reasonably extensive), unless they are very young Corys (as in "pre-juvenile), the chances of the barbels regenerating are slim to none. If they are adults, there is no chance at all. The barbels are not required for your Corys to live a normal, healthy life from here on out, and it will not affect their ability to find food as you are basically putting it right in front of them. I have had a C. melini that I purchased as an adult, 5 year ago, san barbels. She's spawned more than once and is always fat, whether loaded with roe, or not. She has no problem finding her food - and never has. Hope this helps. - Frank

 

[JohnG]

Help........ I've just set up a new tank, all cycled etc. I've set the tank up for a Betta and four Corydoras Paleatus......... When I put them in they all went and hid for a day or two. Now I've noticed that two of them seem to have no barbels/ whiskers.!!!! Other than this they seem healthy enough but will this cause them problems??? Will they grow back??? I've got really fine, smooth gravel on the bottom which is the same as my other tank, My other Corys are fine so I don't think this is the problem............... Any advice/ help would really be appreciated...... John G

Hi. In my experience (which is reasonably extensive), unless they are very young Corys (as in "pre-juvenile), the chances of the barbels regenerating are slim to none. If they are adults, there is no chance at all. The barbels are not required for your Corys to live a normal, healthy life from here on out, and it will not affect their ability to find food as you are basically putting it right in front of them. I have had a C. melini that I purchased as an adult, 5 year ago, san barbels. She's spawned more than once and is always fat, whether loaded with roe, or not. She has no problem finding her food - and never has. Hope this helps. - Frank

Cheers Frank...... Thats a big relief...... Thanks again John G

 

[LisaLQ]

That doesn't mean you should just leave them to heal themselves though. I'd put in some bacterial meds (myxazin maybe? - best to ask Wilder on the emergencies section) to rule out columnaris, as one of the first symptoms in cories is losing their barbels apparently.

 

[Coryman]

A couple of questions, were the barbels intact when the Corys were introduced and how long have they been in the tank. Obviously infection preventative treatment is recommended, but I would try and ascertain the cause of the barbel reduction so it does not happen again. There are two main causes of barbel reduction. The first can be caused by bad water conditions such as prolonged high nitrites, which can cause barbel irritation followed by bacterial infection. The second is wear, which can be caused by having the wrong type or size of substrate forcing the Corys into having to use then as tools to move the substrate instead of what they are designed for, which is as sensory organs.

Ian

 

[JohnG]

A couple of questions, were the barbels intact when the Corys were introduced and how long have they been in the tank. Obviously infection preventative treatment is recommended, but I would try and ascertain the cause of the barbel reduction so it does not happen again. There are two main causes of barbel reduction. The first can be caused by bad water conditions such as prolonged high nitrites, which can cause barbel irritation followed by bacterial infection. The second is wear, which can be caused by having the wrong type or size of substrate forcing the Corys into having to use then as tools to move the substrate instead of what they are designed for, which is as sensory organs.

Ian

I literally bought the fish, stupidly didn't pay too much attention to what the fella was putting in the bag at LFS. Then they sort of disappeared in the tank for a day whilst they settled in. I've had them for about 5 days now, they seem happy enough, eating well and swimming around ok. Not at all lethargic or sluggish. They weren't quarenteened as such because they, along with a betta which came from the same tank at LFS are the only fish in the tank.!!!

 

[Coryman]

A couple of questions, were the barbels intact when the Corys were introduced and how long have they been in the tank. Obviously infection preventative treatment is recommended, but I would try and ascertain the cause of the barbel reduction so it does not happen again. There are two main causes of barbel reduction. The first can be caused by bad water conditions such as prolonged high nitrites, which can cause barbel irritation followed by bacterial infection. The second is wear, which can be caused by having the wrong type or size of substrate forcing the Corys into having to use then as tools to move the substrate instead of what they are designed for, which is as sensory organs.

Ian

I literally bought the fish, stupidly didn't pay too much attention to what the fella was putting in the bag at LFS. Then they sort of disappeared in the tank for a day whilst they settled in. I've had them for about 5 days now, they seem happy enough, eating well and swimming around ok. Not at all lethargic or sluggish. They weren't quarenteened as such because they, along with a betta which came from the same tank at LFS are the only fish in the tank.!!!

JohnG,

It may be that your tank will be more than suitable for the Corys, I would just keep an eye on them and watch for any reddening around the mouth, if they are feeding OK and active I would think that they will be fine and providing the barbels have not deteriorated right back to stumps there is every chance that they will regenerate. If you can get a picture of them that would help to asses the re-growth possibilities.

Ian