Sometimes they can grow back barbels. It just depends how much they've lost and many will recover. But missing Barbels may be a sign of poor health. They tend to lose them from infection from dirty conditions. They may have come in that way ?
I would quarantine them before adding them.
Hi and thanks for response...I only bought the peppered cory's today due to appearance of the albino's barbels....I definitely will go back for albino's soon though, maybe wait until the lfs next delivery! I know I really should have a qt but I don't...just have to pick the healthiest looking stock, take the risk and hope for the best?!? :-/ thanks again for advice and input.