redbug freaks.

[naser]

i notice everywhere that people are treating there tanks with this intercepter to kill the red bugs. ive got them on my acros and have allways had them there. they all grow well and grow fast with them on. so my question is why do people freak out about them.

[charlie]

How long have you had the redbugs? Do you trade frags with anyone? I have treated, and gotten rid of them. I was losing acros to these things, and didn't want to lose anymore, it's just that simple!!!!
If you are happy with them, don't treat. I think it is all personal preference.

[Reefland]

I noticed a lack of polyp extention and what I thought was a lack of overall health when we had them in our tank, which is why we treated. I read that others notice no difference at all with them on their corals.

[naser]

well my last tank of the month beauty had them all over everything and growth was crazy for a year period. i just wondered if maybe somthing else was leading the demise and people just blame the redbugs? i was noticing people putting these crazy mixes in there tank and just wondered if anyone forsure knew if the bugs did anything?

[Reefland]

I think all of the reports are anecdotal, but I think there is enough of them to at least be aware that they may cause some harm.

[zhenya]

Eric Borneman did some research on this bugs and it appears that they may be harvesting zooxanthellae from the tissue of the coral. After I watched the video of one of this bugs burrying it's front appendages( and it;s head) in the tissue with such a force...I decided to treat my tank as well, after holding off for well over a year. I hate to think what I may have done to my eco-system with this drug but I saw no other choice if I were to keep my so-called sps corals alive and most of all healthy.
FWIW, I saw very little affect on corals that hosted the bugs for almost a year, then I lost one colony that I had for almost 3 years, then I started to loose another... and it all started with reduced polyp extensions and discoloration. Then, the colonies started to shut down. I haven't seen them since I treated fourth time, yes, four times! First three times didn't kill all of them and they would be back in like two to three weeks to noticeable populations. Last time I used the double dose of the medication and it seems that they are gone, at least for now.

[naser]

what else does that stuff kill? anything except fish?

[Reefland]

Interceptor or the red bugs?

[naser]

interceptor..

[Reefland]

Only crabs, shrimp, and some sand bed fauna. Your snails and fish will be just fine.

[naser]

so should i just leave mine since i see no affects or just kill em?

[charlie]

so should i just leave mine since i see no affects or just kill em?

I think that would be up to you. Have you done any searching on these things. It didn't take me long to figure out what was best for me. JMHO

[golfish]

They also seem to effect corals that are stressed. Theses days it seems that most people in So Cal have red bugs and Acro eating flat worms, they just don't know it. The red bugs are easy to get rid of, the flat worms are not so easy, and the FW's do more damage.

[jiggly75]

Any one have any pictures of red bugs?

[dougc]

The red bugs affected some of my acros noticably, but others showed no apparent damage. Several of the more affected corals had shown little or no growth until I got rid of the bugs. If you happen to have a collection of corals that are not vulnerable (or preferred), you could probably get away without treating your tank. Of course, you will suffer some embarrassment at frag trades, since everyone will gravitate to the opposite side of the room and start whispering.

[Reefland]

Any one have any pictures of red bugs?

Here are some pictures:
Interceptor Treatment - Our Experience Day 1

Pay attention to Gene's post and his attachtments, his pictures are always better.

[jiggly75]

Where can you buy the interceptor treatment? I can't find it anywhere around here!

[charlie]

Where can you buy the interceptor treatment? I can't find it anywhere around here!

I had to get a prescription from my vet, even though I ordered mine from Pet Meds. My vet had to fax them a verification that I actually had a dog!!! I called my vet and talked to him, plus sent him pics of my tank, along with the explanation.

[zhenya]

Theses days it seems that most people in So Cal have red bugs and Acro eating flat worms, they just don't know it.

That's a sad news... It looks like buying/trading anything that comes from Cali would need to be quarantined, if you want to keep your own tank healthy.

[Reefland]

I was able to order my Interceptor without a prescription, but I can't remember from which site. I'll have to defer to golfish as he directed me to the site.