Broken Barbel

[coldcazzie]

I noticed after doing a water change today that my male hoplo has broken his left longer barbel, quite near to his mouth. I was wondering if there's anything I should do or just keep an eye on him and do more regular water changes to help healing?

Tank: Juwel Rio 240L with internal Juwel filter.
Tankmates: Female hoplo and 2 angels (it's divided in half - there's only the 4 of them in one half of the tank).
Ammonia: 0ppm, Nitrite: 0ppm, Nitrate: 10ppm, pH: 6.6.
Temp: 24-25oC.

No sign of any other abnormal behaviour - he's behaving as he usually does and I have no idea how he could have done it. Do I need to seperate him?

Any help appreciated?

ETA: the broken bit is still hanging on by some skin (for want of a better word) - should I leave it to fall off by itself?

 

[Tortea]

Leave it too fall off, remove anything sharp in the tank (i had a sharp shell, and i couln't understand why all the barbs were falling off) then feed well on tablets and such like and it should grow back, make sure that no other corys are annoying it, and the area doesn't get infected, make sure it is eating, its really no biggy. If you start losing more it can be complicated

 

[coldcazzie]

He's not a cory he's a hoplesternum

 

[Tortea]

Woops sorry

Ive got no idea then

 

[WILDER]

Just water changes and make sure there no sign of infection.
Good Luck.

 

[Curiosity101]

Well presuming it's like most fish I would guess it'll grow back with clean water, good diet and a stress free environment.

I would have a quick scout around for how it might have done it though. Just incase it could happen again.

 

[coldcazzie]

What signs should I keep an eye out for infection? Swelling? Whiteness? Mush?!

Cant think how he's done it - there;s nothing sharp in there...

 

[WILDER]

Barbel looking red, pink, white strands or fungus, excess mucas, or even looking green.

What substate do you have in the tank.

 

[coldcazzie]

V small smooth gravel - each bit is 2-3mm.

Will keep an eye on him.

 

[WILDER]

Smooth gravel fine. As long as the gravel has no sharp edges.

Good Luck.