Do Barbels Re-Grow?

holly12 · 08-17-2011, 08:37 PM

Just wondering if Cory barbels can re-grow. I've got 3 Julii's (getting another 3 on Friday), and I just noticed that 2 of them have very large, prominent barbels, while 1 has almost hair like barbels - so I'm guessing his thicker ones got worn down...

I have rounded gravel mixed with Eco-complete, and was told by numerous people that they will be fine on that. The tank is also heavily planted and has many rocks and caves and has plenty of drift wood, so they should be happy.

susankat · 08-17-2011, 09:19 PM

It depends on how far down they have worn them down. I have a bunch of sterbai that I rescued that none had barbels when I got them and they still haven't grown back in 8 months.

You would be surprised at how rough some eco is. I always keep mine on sand. Take a little of the eco and rub it between your hands, if it scratches ever slightly it will mess with the barbels.

holly12 · 08-17-2011, 10:14 PM

So...... does that mean the Cory's will die without the barbels? I can't do sand. I JUST got the tank cycled and it's got all the plants in... there's no room to put sand in... will they be ok?

It's like a 20lb bag of Eco mixed with about 30-35lbs of rounded gravel... so mostly gravel. (It looks like most of the Eco has settled to the bottom, but it is still mixed in a bit with the top....

I was researching on the net, and found a forum (don't worry, I didn't join, lol) where someone said they had a tank that was just Eco-complete and their Cory's are fine... I actually found the same response on a few other sites. I also read that it's more 'dirty' substrate that causes barbel erosion than 'sharp' substrate - although I don't doubt that sharp is not good.

(Now you have my OCD kicking into overdrive Susan! Lol)

susankat · 08-17-2011, 10:31 PM

They should be fine. Just keep an eye on them for secondary infections.

holly12 · 08-17-2011, 10:36 PM

Ok thanks Susan. (I had also read that if they had no barbels, then they would die of starvation because they won't be able to find food, so I was a little worried.)

I'm hoping his barbels grow back, but if they don't at least I know he won't die now. I'm guessing they can smell food like other fish can too and don't JUST depend on the barbels?

(I'll keep an eye out for any infections as well.)

dragonmoon · 08-26-2011, 10:37 PM

I never had a problem with corys on gravel :D The only time any of mine lost any barbels was when i had some on course pool filter sand , but it certainly didnt effect their ability to feed :D

08-17-2011, 08:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Do Barbels Re-Grow? Just wondering if Cory barbels can re-grow. I've got 3 Julii's (getting another 3 on Friday), and I just noticed that 2 of them have very large, prominent barbels, while 1 has almost hair like barbels - so I'm guessing his thicker ones got worn down... I have rounded gravel mixed with Eco-complete, and was told by numerous people that they will be fine on that. The tank is also heavily planted and has many rocks and caves and has plenty of drift wood, so they should be happy. __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

08-17-2011, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,420 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,618 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Do Barbels Re-Grow? It depends on how far down they have worn them down. I have a bunch of sterbai that I rescued that none had barbels when I got them and they still haven't grown back in 8 months. You would be surprised at how rough some eco is. I always keep mine on sand. Take a little of the eco and rub it between your hands, if it scratches ever slightly it will mess with the barbels. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-17-2011, 10:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: Do Barbels Re-Grow? So...... does that mean the Cory's will die without the barbels? I can't do sand. I JUST got the tank cycled and it's got all the plants in... there's no room to put sand in... will they be ok? It's like a 20lb bag of Eco mixed with about 30-35lbs of rounded gravel... so mostly gravel. (It looks like most of the Eco has settled to the bottom, but it is still mixed in a bit with the top.... I was researching on the net, and found a forum (don't worry, I didn't join, lol) where someone said they had a tank that was just Eco-complete and their Cory's are fine... I actually found the same response on a few other sites. I also read that it's more 'dirty' substrate that causes barbel erosion than 'sharp' substrate - although I don't doubt that sharp is not good. (Now you have my OCD kicking into overdrive Susan! Lol) __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 Last edited by holly12 : 08-17-2011 at 10:25 PM.

08-17-2011, 10:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,420 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,618 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Do Barbels Re-Grow? They should be fine. Just keep an eye on them for secondary infections. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-17-2011, 10:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: Do Barbels Re-Grow? Ok thanks Susan. (I had also read that if they had no barbels, then they would die of starvation because they won't be able to find food, so I was a little worried.) I'm hoping his barbels grow back, but if they don't at least I know he won't die now. I'm guessing they can smell food like other fish can too and don't JUST depend on the barbels? (I'll keep an eye out for any infections as well.) __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 Last edited by holly12 : 08-17-2011 at 10:43 PM.

Members currently in the chatroom: 6
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. CrazyMFFM, majerah1, Reefing Madness, drunkenbeast, TaylorM237, whitetiger61

08-26-2011, 10:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
dragonmoon Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Do Barbels Re-Grow? I never had a problem with corys on gravel :D The only time any of mine lost any barbels was when i had some on course pool filter sand , but it certainly didnt effect their ability to feed :D

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)