I have red bugs.
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: SPS
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions SPS corals.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37327
Printed Date: June 30 2026 at 4:33am
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Topic: I have red bugs.
Posted By: MadReefer
Subject: I have red bugs.
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 1:59pm
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My desktop backgroud flipped to a close up of one acro and I saw red bugs all over it.  Now I have some questions.
I've heard it is easy to treat, but do I have to? What is the worst that can happen if I don't?
Can I still sell/trade coral if I give an iodine dip?
What are the chances of red bugs being on a zoa frag? What are the chances of it being on birdsnest?
I'm not sure where I got them from but have only done a few trades recently so hopefully I didn't spread them.
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Replies:
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 2:21pm
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From http://www.melevsreef.com/redbugs.html - http://www.melevsreef.com/redbugs.html :
"I've seen them in my tank on occasion, but never worried much about them."
Maybe I don't need to worry?
But he also says this:
"This is not a treatment you have to fear. And the more of us that do it, the less likely we will share such pests with one another when trading frags. Always treat new coral arrivals (from hobbyists or your LFS) with an Interceptor bath for at least 6 hours to keep your reef red bug free. "
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Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 3:22pm
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Jesse, it is very easy to treat...feel free to give me a call. I have the med, etc. I personally would not sell/trade until after the treatment, but that is me. Red bugs only attack soft fleshed acros (as far as I've read) so zoa's should be fine, but they possibly could be a hitchhiking source. Your birdsnest should be fine I believe. ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 3:59pm
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I wish I could send a nanobot into the tank and into the brain of my cleaner shrimp that would allow me to tell the cleaner shrimp a few things. Do you see the little red bugs on the coral over there? I bet they are tasty. You should eat them all.
lol, maybe in the future.
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Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 4:03pm
 I've heard that certain wrasses do eat them. I'd check with Brad since he is a wrasse man!
------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 5:32pm
Treating with interceptor to kill the red bugs will almost definately kill your crabs and any cleaner shrimp you have unless you are able to quarantine them during your 3 step treatment. ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 6:39pm
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After reading the past posts from Bill and Curtis and advice from Nick, I think I should try treatment. Thanks guys.
I don't think I can get my crabs out. I might be able to get some of the shrimp out.
Can it be affective to take all the rocks out with acro and treat just these rocks?
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Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: December 19 2009 at 7:58pm
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IME, I lost NO shrimp and very few hermit crabs;YMMV. I also did ONE treatment. I think that it is so dang easy; pulling the rocks out is a PITA. To be honest, I too was thinking about doing that, but I'm so glad I did the treatment for the whole tank. ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 2:12pm
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You will want to treat the entire tank (all rock, skimmer, cal reactors-everything). I would highly advise following the recommended 3 step treatment process. Otherwise you have a very high chance of the red bugs returning after the larva stage.
I realize others may have had some success with a one treatment process- stick with all 3. You will have a better chance however of keeping your shrimp and crabs alive with only 1 treatment- but again, stick with 3 treatments.
I read an excellent thread a couple of years back on this whole process. Maybe someone has the reference? ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:36pm
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The thing is, I care about my shrimp and crabs more than my acro. My shrimp and crabs cost more than my acro. My wife doesn't want me to do the treatment. The acros are growing even with red bugs.
The reason to do the treatment is so I can trade corals without needing to warn the person I'm trading with. But I could do interceptor baths before I trade. Also I'm setting up a frag tank at my parents house and I could make sure that is clean.
I'm still thinking about this but I'm leaning towards not treating.
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Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:41pm
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If you are not planing on doing the interceptor treatment, you may want to consider ReVive Coral Cleaner by Two Little Fishies for a dip. ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: Bryguy514
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 4:16pm
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I deffinatly agree with DLindquist on this stick to all 3 steps. If you only treat one time you are not killing the eggs. It is a bit rough on the pod population. I pulled out every crab and shrimp I could catch and put in a quarantine tank. Best way to control pests is prevention. I dip my corals and inspect each and everyone before it goes in my display tank. ------------- Bountiful, UT 84010 180 Gallon Reef |