Red bugs

Here's a link to my article on them:
http://www.reefdup.com/2012/07/14/aquarium-pests-red-bugs/

Red bugs are live bearers; they do not have lay eggs. However, they are able to hide within a coral's polyp without being ingested, and this is speculated to give them some protection. So, multiple treatments are still recommended...but for a different reason. Also, they infect all Acroporas, including green slimers and the hairy ones...not just the smooth skinned ones (although they do seem to prefer those...especially A. valida.)

Also, there are now Interceptor-resistant red bugs out there (not to mention the expense and difficulty in legally obtaining it). So, to combat them, I prefer to use Bayer Advanced Insecticide (0.5 ml to 2 cups tank water for 15 minutes as a dip.)

And...my favorite treatment...especially during the winter...just lower the temperature!! This is a well documented treatment (not in the hobby...but within the scientific community.) Although my site recommends 65-66 degrees for a few hours, I've had results with only going down to 72 degrees for a few hours. Use caution, and keep an eye on it...but most corals/fish/inverts can handle the stress if done slowly...except the red bugs.

Edited by ReefdUp - December 10 2012 at 9:06pm

Fatman wrote: Lower the temp?  What a great idea!

LOL, I found that out during a power outage and then went online to see if anyone else had the same experience. I found quite a few scientific studies on it, but only a couple people asking about it on a few forums...nothing specific.

I haven't been able to find anything 100% documented as for the length of time and minimum temperature (is it a certain temperature, or is it a temperature difference that kills them?) But, I'm working on a semi-scientific version.   

Great info. I would be very careful with the temp lowering though, as it causes a lot of stress on sps corals. Usually if you are treating for red bugs it is because you have thousands of $ in sps and are trying to fix a problem before it gets out of control. I would recommend the interceptor instead of risking the entire tank. I would rather kill some crabs and snails than sps.

Wouldn't touch the temp.....besides alk swings, temp changes are the only other known factor responsible for Rapid Tissue Necrosis....been there done that, in fact I'd rather have red bugs munching on my strawberry shortcake rather than dropping my temps

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Is this something that can be observed on close examination of a coral?  In other words, if I quarantine for a few weeks will I be able to see this problem and deal with it before putting the coral into my DT?

Molli, the way you qt your stuff, just use the coral rx when you get the corals, then watch them for a week and dip them again. I would then watch them one more week and dip it just before you add it to the display tank.

Red bugs only hang out on sps corals from what I have seen an read. Mostly on acros but I had some that were on my montiporas as well.

I ended up with Red Bugs after acquiring a black sun coral colony from an infected tank. My personal observation would be that Red Bugs do not only infect SPS.