Are these flatworms or red bugs or some other kind of parasite, or nothing to worry about

[Brianwhitman71]

Help! I just noticed these dots on this Stylo frag. I got it from worldwide corals a couple weeks ago and I dipped it in revive and flatworm exit for 15 minutes before putting it in the tank. Do these look like flat worms or red bugs? Based on my research I don’t think so but not sure how to verify

 

[Tahoe61]

Red Bugs are specific to Acropora, it could be another mite type critter. I do not think they are flatworms. I see the same dark spots on my Stylophora, they do not move, the corals is fully expanded each day with good growth so I have not done much investigation.

 

[glb]

Were the dots on it when you put it in the tank or did they show up later? Do they move?

 

[Brianwhitman71]

Thanks I’ll keep and eye on it. I don’t remember seeing them before, others have said they look like closed polyps. I’ll have to see if they disapppear which most likely means they are closed polyps vs flatworms that moves.

 

[Brianwhitman71]

Update, they are gone now and more polyps open so they must have been closed polyps.