Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => The Emergency Room => Topic started by: IainA on June 23, 2014, 03:56:03 PM

Title: Sterba Cory Barbels
Post by: IainA on June 23, 2014, 03:56:03 PM
Hello, I added 6 Sterba's cory to my tank several weeks ago and they all have been doing fine, snuffling around in the substrate and cruising gently through the water. A truly lovely little fish.

However, I have now just noticed a problem, their barbels have been damaged by the substrate (small rounded pieces of gravel). All the research I did before purchasing the fish and on the advice of my local fish shop indicated that they would be fine with this gravel. Obviously not!

Could I ask for your thoughts and ideas, in particular:
Do the fish suffer pain losing their barbels?
Are they in constant pain without the barbels?
Should I keep the fish or humanely dispose of them (I don't want them suffering)
Will the barbels grow back and if so how can I ensure they keep them. (changing the substrate is not an option).

Thanks in advance.

Iain
Title: Re: Sterba Cory Barbels
Post by: Sue on June 23, 2014, 04:16:21 PM
Rounded gravel is usually fine as long as it is kept clean - it is decomposing fish poo and food that can lead to infections and loss of barbels. Can I ask, do you regularly vacuum the gravel?

Their barbels should grow back if you make sure the gravel is kept extra clean (nothing to re-infect them)
Title: Re: Sterba Cory Barbels
Post by: ColinB on June 23, 2014, 04:27:06 PM
This article is well-worth reading, there's a lot of info on barbel erosion...... Clickety-click (http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/corydoras-genus).
Title: Re: Sterba Cory Barbels
Post by: IainA on June 23, 2014, 09:08:54 PM
Well, well, well! I presumed that their barbels were worn away by the substrate but now realise that they have been affected by an infection, perhaps by Flukes. I always thought I kept my substrate clean, but obviously not clean enough! My nitrate readings are always zero so it can't be that.

The link you provided Colin was very illuminating especially the section on air gulping. I always thought they headed for the surface to capture a food item. Must say though that I have not seen them farting ;)

I note that a treatment of Praziquantel is recommended for Fluke eradication, so I may try that after a 'super-clean' of the substrate.

Iain