Red bug control

[tigre44]

What do others do to control red bugs. I tried flat worm exit and it cost me several corals and my powder blue tang and I still have some pockets of red bugs

 

[jmaneyapanda]

? Im not sure I follow. Why would you try flatworm exit for red bugs? From what Im aware, red bugs is medicinally treated with interceptor and certain Bayer dips. Did you mean you have planaria flatworms?

 

[tigre44]

? Im not sure I follow. Why would you try flatworm exit for red bugs? From what Im aware, red bugs is medicinally treated with interceptor and certain Bayer dips. Did you mean you have planaria flatworms?

Yes I thought they were called red bugs

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Yes I thought they were called red bugs

Ah no worries. No, red bugs is a totally different parasite problem for corals. Planaria flatworms are only a big issue if get plague proportions, as they can obscure corals from recieving light. The biggest risk is what you experienced. Killing them off forces them to lyse and release their toxic insides. It can be fatal to fish and corals quickly. If using flatworm exit or levamisole, you need to have a lot of saltwater ready for a large water change and run a good load of carbon to try to absorb the excess toxins. Luckily, the meds work really quickly. Like within minutes. Id siphon out as many as I can, treat, siphon any dead flatworms arising, water change more, and then run carbon immediately.

Biologically, a fish like sixline wrasses, Halichoeres wrasses have been known to keep them in check.