Friend's Corydoras are losing their barbells?

[Burks]

A friend of mine has been keeping Corydoras for many years, if not decades. He uses them in his bare bottom Guppy tanks to clean up uneaten food, and to breed them on the side.

Over the past month he has noticed his Cories are starting to lose their barbells. They still eat and act normal I guess.

Any ideas what might be causing this? They've been in the tanks for many months and have even bred.

Thank you.

[Sponsors]

[mistergreen]

bad water quality is the issue.. Treat a round of antibiotics and keep the water clean e.i. no NH4, NO2

[mpodolan]

I have heard (not exactly sure if it's true) that certain substrates can be hard on cory barbells, too. What substrate is being used?

[lauraleellbp]

I've heard on another forum that this issue was narrowed down to a bacterial infection rather than substrate issues? (can't be the substrate in a bare bottom tank anyways )

[susankat]

Well it can be the bare bottom tank, as they do get a slime on the bottom that can in turn cause an infection. Do water changes as mentioned above and make sure to wipe the bottom and get that slime up.

[Burks]

I'll let him know what you guys said.

Thanks!