Red Bugs!

DustinB · 02/10/2011, 11:06 AM

So I was looking at my pearlberry the other night and noticed some tiny "mites" moving around on it. After getting some pics with my macro lens I could clearly see the yellow body with a red head. I couldn't see anything on any other acros.

I've been reading a lot on how to treat the problem, but there are a few issues. I have several shrimp that will be impossible to remove. I also have a target mandarin. If I treat with interceptor my mandarin will starve(no more pods) and my shrimp will die.

What options do I have? I'm getting really tired of this. First asterinas eating my zoas, then flatworms(red planaria), and now red bugs. If I didn't have so much expensive SPS with no place to go I would tear the tank down and cook everything.

Enzel · 02/10/2011, 11:10 AM

I had this same issue and I tried to remove the shrimp as much as I could but it was impossible. Unfortunately I had to treat the tank and some of my shrimp didn't make it, a blood and skunk shrimp. As far as pods goes, it will reduce the pod population but not that much. I also have a mandarin and he's still fat and eating.

DustinB · 02/10/2011, 11:22 AM

How much and how often did you treat the tank? What size is your tank?

The problem is small right now and I'd like to take care of it before it gets bad. I can probably get the skunks out, but not the peps. I guess I could buy a bottle of tigger pods to get the tank going again. I'd much rather lose anything in the tank over a few thousand dollars of coral.

James404 · 02/10/2011, 11:31 AM

About to go through the same thing here, I doubt I can get my shrimp out so he will stay in, sometimes they make it sometimes they dont. As far as pods, I plan to just replenish with bottled ones after treatment.

smtank · 02/10/2011, 11:35 AM

I treated my 28 gal tank for red bugs. It killed all shrimp and acropora crabs, except hermits. Wiped out the pod population, and this was with the first treatment. But I would do it again in a heart beat, the growth and coloration to my acropora is amazing after treatment.

Yes I miss my little inverts and had them for years, but I would have had to tear down the rock work to get them out. Also I went as low on the first dose as I could and did 2 water changes afterwards.

Good luck the choice is a hard one.

arentspowell · 02/10/2011, 12:14 PM

If they are just one that one acro can you just pull it out and put it in a QT if you have one? I've never used it before but I'm going to start using coral rx and dip my stuff before i put it in my tank. Goodluck though!

Enzel · 02/10/2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinB

How much and how often did you treat the tank? What size is your tank?

The problem is small right now and I'd like to take care of it before it gets bad. I can probably get the skunks out, but not the peps. I guess I could buy a bottle of tigger pods to get the tank going again. I'd much rather lose anything in the tank over a few thousand dollars of coral.

I treated my 150g total water volume tank with 3/4 of a interceptor tablet 4 times every 6-7 days. I left the medications in the tank for about 6 hours every treatment. After the 6 hours I did a 30g water change right away. At the 4th hour you can see some bugs starting to die or letting go of the acros. I did 4 treatments because I wanted to make sure I got rid or these suckers and every larva they may have left.

I was in the same boat as you, I didn't want to risk my shrimps and crabs, but it was either them or hundreds of dollars worth or corals

RVANANO · 02/10/2011, 02:34 PM

I am on my second dose of Interceptor with one more to go and both my pistol and cleaner have been fine.

Oh.. And welcome to the club

In the last year I have overcome red bugs, flatworms, GHA and bryopsis..... Just when you think everything is all good, something else will happen to test your patience.

chimmike · 02/10/2011, 02:44 PM

agreed on the interceptor. I did have a couple shrimp survive two treatments and some hermits survived too. I think my big mexican turbos survived.

RVANANO · 02/10/2011, 02:45 PM

All my Mexican turbo's survived as did many of my hermits. I am going with 3 doses spread out with 6 days in b/t each. I was informed to cut off my carbon reactor and my skimmer for 6 hours after the treatment followed by a 15% water change each time.

DustinB · 02/11/2011, 03:48 PM

Well I picked up some interceptor from the vet on the way home yesterday after calling 4 different vets.

I was able to remove my porcelain crab and 1 cleaner shrimp. I dosed 1 large pill to the tank at 11pm last night. As of 1pm today my girlfriend informed me the remaining cleaner shrimp in the tank is dead. Going to turn on a full canister of carbon at 11pm tonight.

Hoping I don't end up with too much collateral death and cause a cycle.

02/10/2011, 11:06 AM	#1
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	Red Bugs! So I was looking at my pearlberry the other night and noticed some tiny "mites" moving around on it. After getting some pics with my macro lens I could clearly see the yellow body with a red head. I couldn't see anything on any other acros. I've been reading a lot on how to treat the problem, but there are a few issues. I have several shrimp that will be impossible to remove. I also have a target mandarin. If I treat with interceptor my mandarin will starve(no more pods) and my shrimp will die. What options do I have? I'm getting really tired of this. First asterinas eating my zoas, then flatworms(red planaria), and now red bugs. If I didn't have so much expensive SPS with no place to go I would tear the tank down and cook everything.

02/10/2011, 11:31 AM	#4
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	About to go through the same thing here, I doubt I can get my shrimp out so he will stay in, sometimes they make it sometimes they dont. As far as pods, I plan to just replenish with bottled ones after treatment. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

02/10/2011, 12:14 PM	#6
arentspowell Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 296	If they are just one that one acro can you just pull it out and put it in a QT if you have one? I've never used it before but I'm going to start using coral rx and dip my stuff before i put it in my tank. Goodluck though! __________________ Innovative Marine Nuvo 10g AIO Mixed Reef AI Prime Black with Hanging Kit // Vortech MP10QD // InTank Media Basket // Innovative Marine Ghost Skimmer // Tunze 1073.008 Return Pump // AutoAqua ATO

02/10/2011, 02:34 PM	#8
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	I am on my second dose of Interceptor with one more to go and both my pistol and cleaner have been fine. Oh.. And welcome to the club In the last year I have overcome red bugs, flatworms, GHA and bryopsis..... Just when you think everything is all good, something else will happen to test your patience. __________________ Brandon "Your opinion is appreciated. Unless it's stupid" -Me Current Tank Info: "Nano" 300 peninsula reef in progress

02/10/2011, 02:44 PM	#9
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	agreed on the interceptor. I did have a couple shrimp survive two treatments and some hermits survived too. I think my big mexican turbos survived. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

02/10/2011, 11:10 AM	#2
Enzel Moved On Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 168	I had this same issue and I tried to remove the shrimp as much as I could but it was impossible. Unfortunately I had to treat the tank and some of my shrimp didn't make it, a blood and skunk shrimp. As far as pods goes, it will reduce the pod population but not that much. I also have a mandarin and he's still fat and eating.

02/10/2011, 11:22 AM	#3
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	How much and how often did you treat the tank? What size is your tank? The problem is small right now and I'd like to take care of it before it gets bad. I can probably get the skunks out, but not the peps. I guess I could buy a bottle of tigger pods to get the tank going again. I'd much rather lose anything in the tank over a few thousand dollars of coral.

02/10/2011, 11:35 AM	#5
smtank Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,204	I treated my 28 gal tank for red bugs. It killed all shrimp and acropora crabs, except hermits. Wiped out the pod population, and this was with the first treatment. But I would do it again in a heart beat, the growth and coloration to my acropora is amazing after treatment. Yes I miss my little inverts and had them for years, but I would have had to tear down the rock work to get them out. Also I went as low on the first dose as I could and did 2 water changes afterwards. Good luck the choice is a hard one.

02/10/2011, 02:45 PM	#10
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	All my Mexican turbo's survived as did many of my hermits. I am going with 3 doses spread out with 6 days in b/t each. I was informed to cut off my carbon reactor and my skimmer for 6 hours after the treatment followed by a 15% water change each time. __________________ Brandon "Your opinion is appreciated. Unless it's stupid" -Me Current Tank Info: "Nano" 300 peninsula reef in progress

02/11/2011, 03:48 PM	#11
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	Well I picked up some interceptor from the vet on the way home yesterday after calling 4 different vets. I was able to remove my porcelain crab and 1 cleaner shrimp. I dosed 1 large pill to the tank at 11pm last night. As of 1pm today my girlfriend informed me the remaining cleaner shrimp in the tank is dead. Going to turn on a full canister of carbon at 11pm tonight. Hoping I don't end up with too much collateral death and cause a cycle.

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