Damaged barbels

[funkybodal]

Hey there,

One of my corydoras managed to damage his barbels so basically he doesn't have any . This happened awhile ago (good few months) and it's still eating etc. No sign of re-growth so should I try and treat it with some sort of bacterial remedy?

Cheers,
Luke.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Firstly what are your water stats like ammonia, nitrates and nitrites? Does the tank have gravel or sand substrate and how often do you clean it on average? Does the corys barbles show any signs of redness or swelling- do they look irretated?

 

[funkybodal]

Hey there,

All my parameters are pretty solid (no ammonia/nitrite/pretty low nitrate cos I use a Nitragon). I use sand in all my tanks and I don't think the problem is due to dirty substrate as none of the others are affected. There's no swelling as such, more of a white-ish stump. He doesn't seem to be suffering unduly atm but obviously I'd like to sort the bloke out.

Cheers.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi funkybodal

If a cory has a small amount of damage to its barbels, they will often regrow, but beyond a certain point they will not. If it has been a while with no sign of improvement, I suspect that is how they will remain. There is no medicine that will change this at this point.

Since they use their barbels to find bits of food lodged in the substrate, he will be unable to do that, so it will be up to you to be sure he has plenty of easily accessible food to eat. A diet rich in live or frozen meaty foods like bloodworms, blackworms or tubifex worms will help him maintain his health and will also promote tissue regrowth if it is still possible to do.

 

[funkybodal]

That's great thanks inchworm.