withering barbels on pictus

[hegehog]

We have a pictus about 3" long. We've had him 6-8 months. Today I noticed that he is swimming more toward the top and his barbels look damaged - not stiff anymore. They look soft beginning about halfway up. I immediately tested water but everything, ph, nitrites, ammonia tested perfect. I don't think there are any fish that would pick on him. There is an 8" pleco, tiger barbs, 2 angels, 2 rainbows, several small tetras. What is causing this? Will he be OK? nothing else on him appears wrong with him.

[Richard B]

Hmmm - tiger barbs are notoriously "nippy" when they want to be.

That said, it does seem more like a water problem if the fish is deporting in an unusual way. Is the test kit accurate/new - they can go off & give false readings & the pictus would be 1st to show signs of something being wrong. Is there sufficient aeration?

[hegehog]

nothing has changed in the tank and it has great aeration kit is not old so I have no reason to doubt the results I have never noticed any of the other fish paying him any attention. He usually just lurks at the bottom and has occassionally eaten a smaller fish. So, we don't put small fish in there now. Besides his barbels looking limp, it is strange to see him swimming at the top. Just seem to be acting right, but the other fish seem fine.

[MatsP]

Do a big water change and see if it helps. I've unfortunately lost Pictus cats to bad water, and your symptoms sounds like what my fish looked like at the early stages. Similar things also happen if you have too pure water [RO water with too little minerals], from my experience [unfortunately, I did not make the connection until it was too late].

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Mats