cories losing barbels?! =(

[geekrockgirl85]

okay... did a considerable water change a couple days ago in the 55g in my sig.

since doing this,

1. we've lost one of our schwartzis.
2.we've noticed that the surviving guy's barbels are all but gone.

echoofformless has hypothesized that this is due to our choice of substrate (onyx sand). i am worried that there are more sinister causes (i.e. bacterial infection, etc.) afoot. plus, it doesn't make sense to me that onyx sand would be so rough/sharp/harmful... although i'm not completely discounting the possibility.

i feel awful about this. i haven't been able to maintenance the tank for weeks now because i was in an accident. it makes me feel so guilty to think my hiatus may have contributed to their being gone/hurt. *SICK*

anyway.. anybody have any ideas/opinions?

i'm guessing melafix wouldn't be a bad idea either way.

 

[PlecoCollector]

As far as I'm aware, they do lose their barbels from sharp substrate or bacteria.
My complete and total guess is that doing maintenance stirred up some bacteria forming on the bottom. But that's a total guess.

Melafix sounds like a good idea

 

[Stevie]

As far as I'm aware, they do lose their barbels from sharp substrate or bacteria.
My complete and total guess is that doing maintenance stirred up some bacteria forming on the bottom. But that's a total guess.

Melafix sounds like a good idea

imo right on the money.

The two main resaons that catfish lose there barbles is because of sharp substrate or bacteria. Most likely bacteria.

 

[Lotus]

High nitrates or substrate with too much waste on it can cause barbel problems. It might be a good idea to move the cories to a barebottomed hospital tank and treat them while you get the maintenance in your main tank done.

I'd tell echoofformless that he needs to do the maintenance