My catfish lost his barbels by getting stuck in a rock. Will he be OK and able to eat properly?
Most likely, yes the fish will be fine. With many, especially long barbel, species the barbels will grow out again. However, it’s a good idea to avoid sharp rocks or gravel in tanks with such catfish, particularly those that like to dig in the gravel. Corydoras spp., for example, are sensitive to sharp gravel and barbel loss can lead to them not growing back out again. Soft smooth sand or fine gravel is best for these fishes.
