Red Bug Help

jbanman14

Cleaner Shrimp
#1
Hi MASC,

Looks like reefstock got the better of me and i have redbugs. I dip everything but do not have the space for a coral quarantine sadly. Anyway, would love any advice on how to fix this. I have read that interceptor is the best way but not sure if i can buy online or from anyone here. Just want to make sure i get the right thing. I have a mixed reef with many higher end pieces so i want to do the smartest thing here and not risk my other corals. I guess my questions are:
  • Is there a better non chemical way to deal with this?
  • Will interceptor be safe for other LPS, softies and nems or should i remove as many nicer pieces as possible while i treat for a couple days?
  • Does anyone have any i could buy from you?
If there anything else that would help please let me know. Thank you in advance for any support on this. Hopefully a fixable issue. stupid bugs.

James
 

Andrew_bram

Tiger Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
May I ask what you dip with when you get a new coral?

How many corals are the bugs on?

If it is red bugs and you need to treat the whole tank then I dont know of anything other than interceptor that will work.

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jbanman14

Cleaner Shrimp
#3
Thanks Andrew.

I dip with coral revive, i may need something a bit stronger moving forward.

There are a fair number on two flat skin acros and i saw like 1 bug on another smoother skinned one. Most others seem fine and pest free.

I was able to get some Interceptor from Jack at Murmans but its a couple years expired. Feel like it still has some life left in it though. Just hoping it's pretty tame to my other corals and nice nems. I have heard from many its pretty safe.

Again, any advice on dosing and success of treatment is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 

Andrew_bram

Tiger Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#4
You could pull out affected corals and dip them in Bayer make a make shift frag rack with magnet and monitor.

With that being said Interceptor is very effective just look up dosing online. One thing to note is if you use the interceptor I believe your pod population and stuff will be toast.

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Dr.DiSilicate

Great White Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
ex-officio
#5
Your pods and clean up crew will be toast, maybe grab as many as you can and put them in a 10 gallon while you dose. I had red bugs almost a decade ago. My vet gave me the pills and away I went. No corals were lost and no red bugs. I don’t know if anything that eats the little buggers once you have a bunch. I’d imaging some wrasses will eat them but more as a preventative than a cure.

I do have a really cool vet who reluctantly sold me the pills... he was really fascinated with it and I had to pay a vet fee.. the tank got a vet visit in a way. Good luck!


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jda123

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#6
The expired stuff should still work, but if not and you cannot find a vet to get you some pills, you might be able to order from Australia or Canada. Dr. G's coral dip has Milbemcyn Oxime in it, which is the active ingredient that you are after. It is plenty coral safe at the right dosage, but the pods, starfish and other fauna will not be happy.

Dragon faced pipefish can really keep them under control, but they don't really care for a ton of flow and they are quite peaceful and will suffer with aggressive tankmates... even these cannot get into the middle of huge colonies.

Many people have Acro Eating Flatworms after they treat for red bugs, so be on the lookout.
 
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