Microscopic spider / crabs on acros

[VintageReefer]

I lost a acro and had another doing poor, pale color, reduced pe. This was doing fine for 45 days then started declining.

I put the two under a 1200x scope and see tiny black dots moving around.

Zooming in to my scope max capacity I can see them fairly clearly, under 1000-1200x magnification. They appear to be spiders or crabs. They have a black slightly irregular circular body, they are bulbous and 3 dimensional (not a flatworm), and have clear legs coming out the side.

@ISpeakForTheSeas or anyone do you know what these are?

I have tried dip in kcl, then scope again, no effect. Then I added revive + coral rx to the kcl, dipped again 20 min, return to scope, they are moving around unphased

I have pics but you can’t really see the clear legs. In person you don’t see the legs unless they are walking and moving.

I have a video that shows it but it may not work unless you are on a computer

 

[Reefering1]

Black bugs, I think.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/black-bug-support-thread.1001149/

 

[VintageReefer]

@taricha are these marine ostracod?

 

[VintageReefer]

Black bugs, I think.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/black-bug-support-thread.1001149/

 

[Reefering1]

Looks like them right? I see the legs in the video. Pretty sure that's what you have. Sorry bud. Let's see if we can get you some expert help with treatment..
@Sisterlimonpot
@Reefahholic
@JCOLE

 

[VintageReefer]

Well to start things off. I don’t have interceptor

 

[VintageReefer]

Coral looked great, good color, polyps out daily for approx 45-50 days

Then started to pale and have reduced pe

I was thrown off because dip released no pests, and microscope didn’t reveal anything. I wasn’t zooming in nearly enough. Then I decide to sneak in at night with a flashlight and found this

So I thought he was the culprit and I removed him and moved the shelf out of climbing reach. But issue didn’t resolve

Another acro affected

And today -

 

[Tahoe61]

Aside from removing shrimp and crabs. Inceptor is a pretty benign and simple treatment compared to most other treatments/interventions.
Bristle worms took a hit when I treated, as well as brittle stars.

Water clarity and the noticeable reduction in film algae is amazing though. You notice an almost immediate improvement in all sps corals not just acropora.

It's been along time since I used Inceptor. I don't even remember dosages or a resource to find the drug.

 

[Reefering1]

Well to start things off. I don’t have interceptor

https://www.canadapetcare.com/interceptor-for-large-dogs-51-100-lbs-white-pack-480.aspx

 

[VintageReefer]

Aside from removing shrimp and crabs. Inceptor is a pretty benign and simple treatment compared to most other treatments/interventions.
Bristle worms took a hit when I treated, as well as brittle stars.

Water clarity and the noticeable reduction in film algae is amazing though. You notice an almost immediate improvement in all sps corals not just acropora.

It's been along time since I used Inceptor. I don't even remember dosages or a resource to find the drug.

I don’t have shrimp, and maybe 10 or less hermits. I hate bristleworms, and have abundance of micro brittle stars. So far sounding good.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I've had a run in with black bugs. Luckily they're fairly easy to eradicate with interceptor.

I'd suggest 3 treatments of 2 pills per 100g of water every week.

 

[taricha]

@taricha are these marine ostracod?

yep. I agree.

 

[billyocean]

I don't think the ostracod have those legs. I'm far from any expert though

 

[VintageReefer]

Do we feel these are harmful? And should be treated with interceptor?

 

[taricha]

Wait. No. These are not ostracods, got confused. These are Marine mites. The video at the end of post one, and the still pic in post two are good matches for marine mites, halacaridae.

 

[VintageReefer]

Wait. No. These are not ostracods, got confused. These are Marine mites. The video at the end of post one, and the still pic in post two are good matches for marine mites, halacaridae.

Post 2 is not my pic. That was a suggestion from someone else

The video is from my tank

Are marine mites harmful to sps

 

[taricha]

Are marine mites harmful to sps

I don't know. I would have guessed not, but it seems others may have found enough of them on damaged corals to be concerned.

 

[VintageReefer]

I don't know. I would have guessed not, but it seems others may have found enough of them on damaged corals to be concerned.

Will interceptor handle them?

I do have damaged / injured sps and found these on them. I’m out of ideas and definitely doing some finger pointing, but can’t be sure unless I eliminate them and watch for recovery

 

[Lavey29]

6 line those bugs

 

[VintageReefer]

I have them on another acro declining. And since my first post I got a better microscope. These guys are black body, clear legs, and red eyes. I see them munching on stuff but I can’t tell if it’s film or algae or the sps

Can anyone please confirm ID and treatment. I have interceptor now in case I need it

I’ve been suggested they are black bugs, and marine mites

I do have a yellow (former coris) wrasse and I don’t think he noticed them. They are super super small. My microscope is at max power for these pics - 700x