I've got bugs! - Red bug

J

jhammond

[Anyone ever dealt with red bugs on their acros??? How did you get rid of them? Interceptor, Iodine Dip?? Any experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks]
 
[There is a big difference between the various things mentioned in this thread. Red bugs are yellowish in color and are imported in SPS colonies. I've only seen pictures of them.

Red copepods I've not seen, usually they are tan and look like ants.

Red planaria are flatworms, and many of us have had them in our tank. If you look at the current newsletter, Chris' tank has flatworms that are readily seen.]
 
[Here are some pics from my tank. Can you find the bugs??? I finally got some interceptor, and will be treating soon.

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[Be sure you treat out of your tank, NOT in your display. Here's an image from MACNA:]
 
[What are the definitions of the acronyms, ie: GABA, LD50,DMSO???? If you treat outside the tank, how do you make sure you treat all the bugs. You will have to basically dismantle all the rockwork to get all the encrusted pieces of coral treated. I tried the iodine dip initially, but missed a piece and they re-populated.]
 
[Can you set up a separate system for crabs, shrimps and a few select pieces of LR to repopulate your system with worms, pods, etc....

If so, I would think this acro fallow tank would be free of the bugs on its own in a few weeks, and you could reintroduce the stuff to your main tank after treating with interceptor. This would just help preserve some of the beneficial life in your tank.

Have you read Dustin Dortons article? If not I can find a link for you.]
 
[Yeah, I thought about pulling out as many critters as I could, but many people have had a minimal loss after treating. Still not sure what I'm going to do. I might underdose just a little. Don't worry about the link, I have been following the threads on reefcentral and reefs.org.]
 
[@jhammond wrote:
What are the definitions of the acronyms said:
GABA-Gamma amino butyric acid, a neurotransmitter
LD50-Lethal dose 50% (dose of a drug required to kill 50% of an organism under controlled conditions)
DMSO-Dimethyl sulfoxide (an oxidant/organic solvent)

I had a progressively worsening red bug infestation for about eight months, used Interceptor in February as directed, no red bugs since. As expected it did kill some hermit crabs and the pod populations took a hit too but later recovered. Several affected acros that had been bleaching recovered within two or three weeks. Using a low dose increases the chance of selecting for resistant bugs, causing a worse problem for both you and whoever you might spread them to.]
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[I discussed this with several people this weekend. Eric B. Greg Hiller, Habib, owner of Salifert, saw that info printed by Dustin.
What I came away with is,
1. Yes that interceptor was totally safe for corals. Great for a dip it was deadly to those red bugs.
2. If treat the tank , you usually have to do it three times to be sure they are all dead.
3. If you do treat the tank you are going to kill almost all crabs, shrimp, snails, pods.
4. Eric was was at this point he would not take the chance because he was not sure to what extent it would kill life in the tank.
5. If you do take the chance and treat the whole tank and you have a refugium that you can seperate temporarily from the main tank, put all shrimp , crab. other life besides the fish into the refugium.
6. After you treat the tank three times, turn the refugium back on, and try to repopulate the tank from what is in the refugium.
7. After you treat the tank, you have to thoroughly dip any coral with the interceptor before placing in your system. It only takes one redbug to repopulate.]
 
[To the people with those little redbugs on your acros and thinking about using Interceptor on your whole tank. While dosing your tank with Interceptor is an option and some people have done so with good results. At this point, I am still nervous about it.
I suggest you try a product by Salifert called Coralline Aminoacids. Believe me I would never suggest anything directly that I have not tried myself and do not belive in. I have been using this stuff for almost a year with good results. I am not saying that it kills redbugs, but suggest that it helps the coral fight them off or keeps them healthier to fight them off. I would try the product out and watch for their reduction. Using the stuff will certainly do no harm and if you feel after some time you still want to dose the tank with Interceptor thats still an option.]
 
[@Marc wrote:
There is a big difference between the various things mentioned in this thread. Red bugs are yellowish in color and are imported in SPS colonies. I've only seen pictures of them. Red copepods I've not seen said:
Marc you said red bugs are yellow right? those look like ants so I am assuming red copepods... yet, everyone keeps refering to these things as red bugs... which is it?

If they are copepods why wouldn't a pod eater like mandarin help with that problem?]



Edited By BrianC on 1095444143
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[Brian they are red and a amphripod. Eric B. thinks they are a new species. I can not find the links to his description on reef central. There was some fish that was someone has said feeds on them. I can not remember the fish but will try and find out whish fish it was.]
 
[Right. There are red ones, and I"ve been told by some that there are other "red bugs" that look yellow to me. I've not had to deal with it fortunately.]
 
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