New Frag..New Red Bugs..am I hosed?

cabrego · 10/28/2009, 10:09 AM

Hey all,

Just as my tank was finally starting to take off, I acquired a new frag and didn't realize that the dip I used did not kill red bugs.

I inspected it today and found that the a frag plug sized efflo contained at least 10 red bugs on it.

From your experiences does this mean my entire tank is probably going to be infested?

Am I now forced to treat the entire system with interceptor? This really sucks!

SBJim · 10/28/2009, 10:16 AM

Immediately remove the frag and treat it. That may help limit their spread within the tank. Years ago, I got a frag with redbugs and they just went away. I suspect it was my sixline, but can't confirm.

Reef Bass · 10/28/2009, 10:23 AM

I would QT your desirable arthropods (shrimp and crabs) and then treat the entire tank with Interceptor. Red bugs are easily dealt with compared to say, AEFW.

downhillbiker · 10/28/2009, 10:31 AM

I would start with a 6 hour dip in interceptor on the frag. Hopefully this will fix it, probably will. If somehow it isn't enough and you see them on corals in a few months, you can treat the tank easily. I think red bugs are the easiest of any parasites to treat.

http://www.melevsreef.com/redbugs.html

cabrego · 10/28/2009, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Is there any other dip I can use for Red bugs besides interceptor?

The guy at the fish store tried to tell me that red bugs are a type of flatworm and flatwormx works.

I am using Medicoral and I know that doesn't work.

Cozmo4 · 10/28/2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabrego

Thanks for the advice guys. Is there any other dip I can use for Red bugs besides interceptor?

The guy at the fish store tried to tell me that red bugs are a type of flatworm and flatwormx works.

I am using Medicoral and I know that doesn't work.

I wouldn't take any more advice from that guy at your LFS if that's what he told you. He's way off. Flatworms are a type of worm, as the name implies. Red bugs are a type of parasitic copepod, a crustacean. They aren't even in the same family of animals. I'm not aware of anything other than Interceptor that will kill red bugs.

BLKTANG · 10/28/2009, 03:32 PM

"Is there any other dip I can use for Red bugs besides interceptor?"

No.

Reef Bass · 10/28/2009, 03:33 PM

+1 for red bugs not being flatworms.
+1 for flatworm exit not working on red bugs.

10/28/2009, 10:09 AM	#1
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	New Frag..New Red Bugs..am I hosed? Hey all, Just as my tank was finally starting to take off, I acquired a new frag and didn't realize that the dip I used did not kill red bugs. I inspected it today and found that the a frag plug sized efflo contained at least 10 red bugs on it. From your experiences does this mean my entire tank is probably going to be infested? Am I now forced to treat the entire system with interceptor? This really sucks!

10/28/2009, 10:23 AM	#3
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	I would QT your desirable arthropods (shrimp and crabs) and then treat the entire tank with Interceptor. Red bugs are easily dealt with compared to say, AEFW. __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs

10/28/2009, 10:31 AM	#4
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	I would start with a 6 hour dip in interceptor on the frag. Hopefully this will fix it, probably will. If somehow it isn't enough and you see them on corals in a few months, you can treat the tank easily. I think red bugs are the easiest of any parasites to treat. http://www.melevsreef.com/redbugs.html __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

10/28/2009, 03:32 PM	#7
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	"Is there any other dip I can use for Red bugs besides interceptor?" No. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

10/28/2009, 03:33 PM	#8
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	+1 for red bugs not being flatworms. +1 for flatworm exit not working on red bugs. __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs

10/28/2009, 10:16 AM	#2
SBJim Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 544	Immediately remove the frag and treat it. That may help limit their spread within the tank. Years ago, I got a frag with redbugs and they just went away. I suspect it was my sixline, but can't confirm.

10/28/2009, 02:13 PM	#5
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	Thanks for the advice guys. Is there any other dip I can use for Red bugs besides interceptor? The guy at the fish store tried to tell me that red bugs are a type of flatworm and flatwormx works. I am using Medicoral and I know that doesn't work.