Corydoras Barbel Missing - Please Help

[rick_wolves]

hi everyone,

I need HELP! both my corydoras catfish are missing barbels. I have had them for over 2 months now; my tank parameters are 25 degrees C, ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 10. I have sandy substrate with plant fertiliser underneath it.

both my corydoras have lost barbels which i have noticed over the last couple of days. One of them has a very red barbel remaining. They are both still eating and active, but not as active as they used to be.

I added 4 serpae tetra to the tank on thursday, they have on occasion chased the cory's.

I am wondering whether they have been biting the corys. or whether the barbels are missing for another reason? is there anything i can do to help them grow back?

pleaaaaaase help!

 

[mattlee]

if your using a sand substrate then it cn only be down to bacterial infection especially if they are very red. the substrate needs to be very clean for bottom feeders as bacteria can build up and infect barbels. im assuming that you are using aquarium or playsand!
any uneaten food and poop needs to be removed to prevent this happening when doing your weekly water changes.

barbels can grow back but normally not as big as the originals, you will need plenty of fresh water and treat pretty much as you would for fin damage or battle wounds. maybe add an anti bacterial med to help any further infections and to try and save the remaining barbels.