cory's barbels rubbed off

[snakeskinner]

I have 2 peppered and 2 bandit cories in a 29 and just noticed this evening, one of the peppered cories had no barbels left and his mouth was redish. Once I found the other 3, they all have this problem, some worse than others. I know I read something on this before but can't seem to find it in a search. anyone know what the problem is and how I can correct it? thanks, Kyle

[MonoSebaelover]

Often times it is because too coarse of gravel and also sometimes large pieces of gravel that if they get moved slightly during the cories scavenging that the gravel bit can fall on the feeler and it can become stuck. I had that problem with my cories a few years ago but they grew out of it and grew back their nice long feelers so I wouldn't be too worried about it just be sure to keep the water clean to prevent infections. Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[Hound]

More than likely course gravel is the culprit. The main thing for you to do is keep your water clean as your corys heal in order to prevent infection. If the problem you are having seems chronic you may need to change substrate material.

[Cearbhaill]

I'll second the "keep the water clean" recommendation Hound gave you. Just like people fish can injure themselves from time to time. The tiny injury is not a particular problem- the ensuing infection is. Clean water (less than 15 or so ppm nitrates) will help prevent the irritated barbels from turning into something more serious.

[snakeskinner]

I wouldn't think the gravel was too rough but it is rougher than the previous tank that the peppered cories were in. There are a couple decorations (starfish and palmtree) made of plastic resin that have a coarse texture. I keep 10ppm or less nitrate so that won't be a problem. would melafix help? thanks, Kyle

[Hound]

Not certain on the melafix, but in general corys + medication is not a good mixture.