Fish'd

So, I did a tank change after a week and maybe 3 days (I know, it won't happen again... I put in the correct dosage of Prime towards the end before I could change it, though). I noticed yesterday that my panda cories' barbels seem like they're shrinking.

They have a sand substrate, and only one rock is a little less smooth.
The only thing I can think of is either the late water change. Or maybe it's the weird algae growing. There is some little patches of darker green algae, and then there is an orangish-yellow colored yellow patch. What is the yellow patch? It looks incredibly flat, not 3-D like the other algae.

Is it harming my fish? What's wrong with their little barbels, and can I fix it?

Thanks!

bubblefish

What is your pH?

REDKAHUNA

Check tank perams. Usually shrinking barbels are bad water. The other reason is sharp stuff but u said they had none.

aquarist48

Catfish

Check out the above link and scroll down to Barbel erosion.
You can also do a forum search for Barbel erosion for more information.
Best wishes.
Ken

funkman262

Was curious about this as I own cories myself. Great info in that link. Thanks for that Ken.

mosin360

I agree that link is very good and does explain quite a bit with actual science and facts instead of the normal 'sharp is bad' without any evidence.

I have Peppered Corys with pea gravel and they have no issues with it. I would check the water and what are you feeding them?

Akeath

You might also make sure that you are cleaning the substrate thoroughly every week. They can get infections if the substrate isn't clean enough, and that leads to the shortening of barbels.