Red Acro "Bugs" -- Looking for volunteers

[DustinDorton]

I have not seen the bugs return in the treatment tanks that I have setup, but they have all been treated multiple times. My first tests were mostly determining what the medication was toxic too.


The two additional treatments are just to be certain the bugs are gone. To my knowledge, nothing is known about the life cycle of these guys. Finding a way to break that life cycle is more important that killing all of the bugs off real quickly.
Since we know nothing about them, we have to cross our fingers and hope that we get them all with multiple treatments. If the medication is not effective on free floating larvae, or unhatched eggs, then re-infestation is certain.

It only takes 2 bugs to start the whole process over again. In the tests so far, the medicatoin is rather gentle in aquariums. Crabs and shrimps are easily replaced if they die. Just like the red bugs, you only need 2 "good pods" to restock your entire system.


I have not heard any reports of elevated ammonia or nitrite levels from any of the testers.

 

[Anonymous]

Dustin,
Do you suppose this could be used to kill hitchhiker pests as well, mantis shrimp and "bad" crabs?

 

[DustinDorton]

Ive thought about it, I dont see why it wouldnt kill mantis shrimp. You would probably have to increase the dosage and use it for a longer period of time. The effects on crustaceans seem reversable, if they dont completely die, they seem to be able to come back to life.

There are a lot safer ways to remove problem crustaceans though. Screwdrivers and pliers come to mind. I would save the use of this medication for emergencies only.

 

[jimbo327]

When will the results be finalized, and we can get our grubby hands on this medication? I'm see a few red bugs in my system, probably from a frag trade, these buggers are annoying the crap out of me.

PM if you want. Thanks.

Jim

 

[reefnut1]

I'm also wanting to know. How much longer will we be in suspence? The red bugs are in my system also. I'm hoping I don't lose anymore. Some are quite pale.

 

[DustinDorton]

The name of the medication wont be released for a few more weeks. The volunteers still have two more treatments to perform.

 

[Blue Jester]

Finished my second treatment a few hours ago, and all is going well. Still excellent polyp extension, no bugs, all other corals are healthy.

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

Blue Jester - Did you perform the water changes as prescribed after the second treatment? I am in the middle of the secod treatment and considering a smaller water change (10%).

 

[Blue Jester]

I did around 15%... So not quite as much as prescribed.

With how little harm there seems to be, it doesn't seem like the treatment would do anything left to be absorbed by carbon, but I guess at this point there isn't enough experience with the long term affects.

But since I didn't have any crabs or shrimp in my system, I figured the 15 would be fine.

 

[DustinDorton]

Its safe to say that man future users of the medication will be too lazy to do the necessary water changes. So I guess its good that you guys are experimenting with smaller ones. I had the luxury of rapid 100% water changes in the test tanks, but settled on 25% since it seemed more practical for hobbyists.
Just watch the tanks closely and have more water ready just in case.

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

Well, two down, one to go...

No problems a all. Everything looks great! REDBUG FREE! Damn that feels good!

 

[ReefRelated]

You guys are making me jelious. I can't wait. I have a few frags that would really enjoy being bug free. Thanks again for all your hard work Dustin.

 

[mia1974]

What kind of pod life are you guys still seeing in your refugiums/sump? -especially those of you who have dosed the medication twice...was it a complete wipeout of all pods/ mysis or are there still some alive?

I am doing my second treatment tomorrow, but still notice some pods in my refugium...all mysis are gone though...

All corals are fine, and red bugs are still gone...

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

I have noticed very few pods when checking after the lights are out. I also noticed a decrease in tube worms that occupy the deep sand bed.

I have started to feed tha tank very heavily at night after the lights are out in hopes of aiding their repopulation..

 

[ReefRelated]

I was plan on turning off my refugium durring the treatment process to help maintain my pods and such. I will wait until after I do the first water change to turn it back on to the main system. Do you think it's a better idea to treat the fuge also?

 

[Brad_A]

Hello,

Just came over from the "other" board. This new Treatment is very exciting and I look forward to using it. I have a heavy infestation of these red bugs that I got from a local reefer. He said they did no harm! My acros are starting to go down...sickly looking.

I need this new tx bad! Thanks for all the work thats going into this chemical.

Brad

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

Tony-IMO, there seems a greater risk in isolating the refugium and possibly missing some of the infectious red bugs. I think part of the problem, and possibly even the "error" in the methodology is we do not know the life cycle of the bugs.

I also wanted to add how quickly the overall appearance of my acros is improving since treating the tank. They are losing the dull tanish brown appearance and regaining the vibrant colors they originally had.

Paul

 

[Blue Jester]

Is there a way for us to research the life cycle? Obviously, with other organisms that are nuisances, such as Ich, many believe/state that the cycle is around 17-21 days.

How does one go about figuring this out?

Also, dustin, have you done any research on the zoanthid eating nudibranches?

 

[Paul A. Ifkovits]

[/quote]Is there a way for us to research the life cycle?

I am not he best person to answer this, but you may want to try doing a search on decapod.

There was a thread on RC where someone posted an ID/name of the bug. You may want to check there. I will see if I can find it.

Paul

Update - I have listed below a thread on RC which may be of service. An ID of the bug is also mentioned.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=217921

 

[DustinDorton]

Paul is right, an entire system needs to get treated. Taking a part of it, especially a refugium, offline is a bad idea. There could be bugs, or larvae in any part of the system

I wasnt able to find any info on the life cycle of these animals, or any other related species. Perhaps the life cycle is similar to other copepods. Someone has got to know. I wouldnt compare it to the lifecycle of Ich or any disease though.

I have beat the zoanthid nudibranchs before. It took a lot of work though. Every adult was removed by hand daily, and any polyp with eggs was cut out with fine scissors. The bigger problem is the eggs.