Sterbai Lost Barbels

[zuulan]

Hi All

I've just noticed all my Sterbai's have lost their barbels and they are also mainly swimming mid-water. I'm guessing some disease has caught them. Maybe related to the fact I had some Sweet Potato in the tank for some days. My LFS does this all the time.

Anyone know what the problem is and what I should do to help them recover? Will they survive without them?

Thanks

 

[mattlee]

what substrate do you have in the tank?
if its gravel then its possible they have damaged them while searching for food, sand is prefered for bottom feeding fish to prevent this.
if you have sand then its possible that the substrate hasnt been kept clean enough and a small scratch etc on the barbels has turned nasty and infected due to the unclean substrate.
if putting veg in the tank then its best to blanch it first making is soft enough for the fish to eat and remove it within 24hrs depending on the tank temp as the veg can contaminate the water as it rots/goes off.

what other fish are in the tank?
what are you water parameters?
what is your tank maintenance regime?

 

[zuulan]

what substrate do you have in the tank?
if its gravel then its possible they have damaged them while searching for food, sand is prefered for bottom feeding fish to prevent this.
if you have sand then its possible that the substrate hasnt been kept clean enough and a small scratch etc on the barbels has turned nasty and infected due to the unclean substrate.
if putting veg in the tank then its best to blanch it first making is soft enough for the fish to eat and remove it within 24hrs depending on the tank temp as the veg can contaminate the water as it rots/goes off.

what other fish are in the tank?
what are you water parameters?
what is your tank maintenance regime?

Hi, yes I use sand with live plants. What do you mean by Blanch, how do you do it? I did leave the food in there awhile as it wasn't been eaten.

Nothing special with the other tank mates, clown loach, cardinal tetras, female betta and some livebearers.

All water stats are fine Ph close to 7.0, ammonia and nitrites NIL, nitrates very low.

I take between 10% and 20% water change a week.

Should I put some fungus medicine in to kill any germs off? I can't see any fungus or anything similar in the tank or on the sand.

 

[mattlee]

what substrate do you have in the tank?
if its gravel then its possible they have damaged them while searching for food, sand is prefered for bottom feeding fish to prevent this.
if you have sand then its possible that the substrate hasnt been kept clean enough and a small scratch etc on the barbels has turned nasty and infected due to the unclean substrate.
if putting veg in the tank then its best to blanch it first making is soft enough for the fish to eat and remove it within 24hrs depending on the tank temp as the veg can contaminate the water as it rots/goes off.

what other fish are in the tank?
what are you water parameters?
what is your tank maintenance regime?

Hi, yes I use sand with live plants. What do you mean by Blanch, how do you do it? I did leave the food in there awhile as it wasn't been eaten.

Nothing special with the other tank mates, clown loach, cardinal tetras, female betta and some livebearers.

All water stats are fine Ph close to 7.0, ammonia and nitrites NIL, nitrates very low.

I take between 10% and 20% water change a week.

Should I put some fungus medicine in to kill any germs off? I can't see any fungus or anything similar in the tank or on the sand.

to blanch food either boil for a few seconds or put in a small amount of water and microwave for a few seconds. the time depends on the size of veg.
this makes the veg softer and the fish can eat it straight away instead of leaving it in the tank to go soft as this can cause water issues.
the corys may have a bacterial infection of some kind but if you are going to add meds then its best to put them in a seperate tank if possible so you dont put the other fish through the medication causing stress to them if they are not infected or showing the same symptoms.

do the barbels look red?
are the fish flashing at all due to an irritant?
are the corys still feeding ok?

 

[zuulan]

do the barbels look red?
are the fish flashing at all due to an irritant?
are the corys still feeding ok?

Nope the barbels are completely missing. Not sure if they are feeding ok or not. They don't look skinny or anything. I've added the best photo I could get below.

I added some Meth Blue last night, 20ml in a 200ltr tank, all the fish seem fine with it. Although not seen my plec today.

 

[zuulan]

 

[mattlee]

i would keep doing plenty of water changes as well. dont forget to add the right amount of meds back that have been removed each time and complete the course

 

[zuulan]

i would keep doing plenty of water changes as well. dont forget to add the right amount of meds back that have been removed each time and complete the course

Thanks. Do you think Meth Blue is a good choice?

 

[mattlee]

i would keep doing plenty of water changes as well. dont forget to add the right amount of meds back that have been removed each time and complete the course

Thanks. Do you think Meth Blue is a good choice?

meth blue is an anti fungus med, it might be worth using an anti bacterial med.

 

[zuulan]

meth blue is an anti fungus med, it might be worth using an anti bacterial med.

Thanks. Will switch to that after a couple of water changes.