Montipora pest

[Nowell]

I have a red Montipora cap. which has developed small (0.05mm) dark flatworms. Several detached with Exit, however, similar fws seen this AM. Other Montipora caps.from same parent, at lower levels, appear fine yet are infested. There are none on a red, yellow polyped cap.

 

[Nowell]

Other corals not bleached or infested.

 

[Tahoe61]

Are you sure they are FW rather then a mite? To me it looks like the coral is bleached from photoshock.

 

[Nowell]

Photo shock makes sense as lights were lowered slightly prior to onset of bleaching. The organisms on the Montipora are so small it's hard to tell. Are the mites parasitic?

 

[Tahoe61]

There is a type of Arthropod that infest Montipora. See link below

Aquarium Corals: Stony Coral Parasites: Red and Black Bugs: Identification Guide, Preventive Measures, and a Review of Treatment Protocols ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[Nowell]

That article was top notch.