Tiny white bugs on frogspawn coral

[Henc]

I have some frogspawn which has some tiny white 'bugs' on it that are irritating the coral so that it will not fully extend. How can I remove these without aversely affecting the coral and without buying a natural predator. I only have a 14 gallon BioCube, so another fish is out of the question.

I read that a heart worm medication called Interceptor might do the job, but I do not own a dog and cannot get a prescription for it. Can this be a solution to my problem? If so, how do I get my hands on some Interceptor?

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[little_fish]

Interceptor is used to treat red bugs, which are parasitic to several species of SPS corals. Im not sure what is irritating your frogspawn, but i would take it out and and do an iodine dip

 

[Henc]

I have been reading on some other forums that an iodine dip will not help, but that I should try Coral RX or Coral ReVive. I will see if I can find one of these and give it a shot.

 

[little_fish]

Sounds like a good plan. Remember to shake it in another cup after you dip to try and dislodge as many of the little bugs as possible.

 

[chrislorentz]

Or FW dip

 

[little_fish]

That works as well, just make sure that the pH and temperature is very close. To me its more trouble to get the pH right than to use a coral dip, but to each is own!

 

[chrislorentz]

Dont worry about PH, just temp. At least thats what I do no problems

 

[spstimie]

Interceptor is toxic to all shrimp. I nuked my entire pod base treating for red bugs and it has yet to fully recover. I would try everything I could to avoid doing it again, but three treatments about two weeks apart will do the job. I don't remember the procedure, but I am sure I can find it if you need.

 

[hooked]

How long has the frogspawn been closed. Sometimes corals will just close up for a couple of days. The white bugs could be pods. They may not be causing irritation. Just visible because of the coral closed.


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[chrislorentz]

Typically white bugs = ok

red or Yellow bugs = Bad

IME

 

[SAZAMA]

I have interceptor, let me know. you can always mix one salfert baby spoon per gallon and dip anything you want.

 

[Wicked Color]

Are you sure its bugs and not eviscerated stinging cells?

 

[Henc]

The frogspawn has been closed for about a two weeks now. I first didn't take any action, but after three days, I decided to do a 30% water change. It didn't help, so I did another two days later. Still no response. Last night I decided to do a closer inspection and that is when I noticed the bugs. I also have a video of the bugs crawling around on the polyp. In the 40 sec video, I can see about six of them on the same polyp. What was really vexing was that I have other polyps from the same colony about two inches away that aren't affected at all. Upon close inspection, I don't see any bugs on the polyps that are fully extended. It's like watching lice on a plant.

 

[Wicked Color]

If that head is dying, it could have pods picking at the decaying flesh.

 

[Henc]

In case anyone is interested, here is a closer look at the critters. I don't think the frogspawn is dying, just irritated. All of the ones that don't have the bugs are fully extended. Would you consider these white?

[attachment=59661:name]

 

[hurrafreak]

The frogspawn has been closed for about a two weeks now. I first didn't take any action, but after three days, I decided to do a 30% water change. It didn't help, so I did another two days later. Still no response. Last night I decided to do a closer inspection and that is when I noticed the bugs. I also have a video of the bugs crawling around on the polyp. In the 40 sec video, I can see about six of them on the same polyp. What was really vexing was that I have other polyps from the same colony about two inches away that aren't affected at all. Upon close inspection, I don't see any bugs on the polyps that are fully extended. It's like watching lice on a plant.

Why don't you post the video?

 

[68RUSTANG]

It's hard to tell in the photo, could they be snails?

Can you pluck one off and get a closer look through a magnifying glass?

They kind of look like pyramidellid snails that I have found bugging clams.

 

[Henc]

Here is the video.

[video=youtube;Mecq2LSVrQ4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mecq2LSVrQ4[/video]

 

[chrislorentz]

I would opt for FW dip

 

[68RUSTANG]

Snails on crack...............

How big is the coral?

If it's not to large, I'd dip it either with Revive, or just freshwater.