9 hours into interceptor treatment. Still see red bugs.

[ScottB]

Digging up an old comment here, but dealing with black bugs for a second time in my Reefing career. Any other inverts died from this besides hermits? Snails, starfish, shrimp, urchins?

Shrimp will take a hit. I couldn't trap mine. Some hours after the dose, I did manage to net one or two; they were completely stunned. I moved them but maybe one survived. The fire shrimp certainly died, maybe the peppermint made it.

 

[Hagios]

Digging up an old comment here, but dealing with black bugs for a second time in my Reefing career. Any other inverts died from this besides hermits? Snails, starfish, shrimp, urchins?

Yes, it's potentially lethal toward other inverts. That's probably why they warn against using it within the system. I've experienced loss of hermits. I don't keep track of snails.

 

[JaaxReef]

Yes, it's potentially lethal toward other inverts. That's probably why they warn against using it within the system. I've experienced loss of hermits. I don't keep track of snails.

Yeah, I have a couple conchs, a bunch of snails, an urchin, harlequin shrimp, and clam that I think I would need to move to the frag tank during treatment. I just ordered some of the dip.

Got some montipora with faded color and low polyp extension and same with some acros (mostly polyp extension issues). A lot of the acros are still growing and looking pretty good, but the grafted sunfire monti cap looks the worst and I can see the bugs visibly on them under a magnifying glass.

 

[Hagios]

Yeah, I have a couple conchs, a bunch of snails, an urchin, harlequin shrimp, and clam that I think I would need to move to the frag tank during treatment. I just ordered some of the dip.

Got some montipora with faded color and low polyp extension and same with some acros (mostly polyp extension issues). A lot of the acros are still growing and looking pretty good, but the grafted sunfire monti cap looks the worst and I can see the bugs visibly on them under a magnifying glass.

If you have another system where you can isolate them that would be a good idea. Be wary of any carry over from system to system.

 

[JaaxReef]

If you have another system where you can isolate them that would be a good idea. Be wary of any carry over from system to system.

Yeah, I’ve got a frag tank I can fit them in that has shown zero signs of the bugs.

 

[ScottB]

I don't know that Dr G is sufficiently potent for an in tank treatment. @Hagios isn't that far to dilutive to have any effect?

I had to double up on the Interceptor (Milbemycin Oxide) to get the critters to slow down.

 

[JaaxReef]

I don't know that Dr G is sufficiently potent for an in tank treatment. @Hagios isn't that far to dilutive to have any effect?

I had to double up on the Interceptor (Milbemycin Oxide) to get the critters to slow down.

I’ve heard it works to kill these bugs from a guy on YouTube, Mrussels Reef. He didn’t have access to Interceptor. I’ll give it a shot, the dip comes as a concentrate, so I could do a pretty intense dose if I’m not seeing the impact.

 

[sculpin01]

I personally had a very bad experience using the Dr. G's dip recently with 50% death of otherwise healthy corals within 24 hours of a dip. YMMV.

As much of a PITA to deal with, ivermectin has been extremely mild to corals and extremely lethal to all copepods (and snails, shrimp, crabs, isopods, amphipods, worms, etc.). My current protocol on receiving new corals is KCl dip, into the first quarantine tank for 2-6 weeks to settle in, ivermectin dip for 1 hour, into a second qt tank for 24 hours with lots of carbon to absorb stray ivermectin, then into the display.

 

[JaaxReef]

I personally had a very bad experience using the Dr. G's dip recently with 50% death of otherwise healthy corals within 24 hours of a dip. YMMV.

As much of a PITA to deal with, ivermectin has been extremely mild to corals and extremely lethal to all copepods (and snails, shrimp, crabs, isopods, amphipods, worms, etc.). My current protocol on receiving new corals is KCl dip, into the first quarantine tank for 2-6 weeks to settle in, ivermectin dip for 1 hour, into a second qt tank for 24 hours with lots of carbon to absorb stray ivermectin, then into the display.

What concentration did you use with Dr G’s in the tank? I know some folks had zero coral losses with it.

 

[Hagios]

I don't know that Dr G is sufficiently potent for an in tank treatment. @Hagios isn't that far to dilutive to have any effect?

I had to double up on the Interceptor (Milbemycin Oxide) to get the critters to slow down.

I don't know that Dr G is sufficiently potent for an in tank treatment. @Hagios isn't that far to dilutive to have any effect?

I had to double up on the Interceptor (Milbemycin Oxide) to get the critters to slow down.

I use it to eliminate the bugs as much as possible typically at the higher dose, and then as a prophylactic. I've never experienced any negative side effects to the corals.

Hopefully we are talking about the same type of infestation. DrGs DOES NOT kill or inhibit AEFW or the grayish slug bugs. What DrGs is effective against are crustacea type parasites.

 

[JaaxReef]

I use it to eliminate the bugs as much as possible typically at the higher dose, and then as a prophylactic. I've never experienced any negative side effects to the corals.

Hopefully we are talking about the same type of infestation. DrGs DOES NOT kill or inhibit AEFW or the grayish slug bugs. What DrGs is effective against are crustacea type parasites.

I am. The tiny little black bugs that seem to irritate Montipora more than anything. Hopefully a dose of that takes them out.

 

[JaaxReef]

Dr G’s was out of stock and he just refunded me. Now trying to work with our vet to get interceptor? Any specific brands work best?

 

[sculpin01]

What concentration did you use with Dr G’s in the tank? I know some folks had zero coral losses with it.

I used the recommended dose on the bottle. It’s my understanding that the product is no longer based on milbemycin and is using something else, which may be why I had bad results.

 

[ScottB]

I used the recommended dose on the bottle. It’s my understanding that the product is no longer based on milbemycin and is using something else, which may be why I had bad results.

I have a rule. If the vendor doesn't list the active ingredients or lies about them... caveat emptor. Do nothing or buy something else.

 

[sculpin01]

Agreed, but it had had such good press that I decided to try it. Luckily the corals that succumbed weren't anything uber pricey but it still sucked.

 

[ScottB]

Agreed, but it had had such good press that I decided to try it. Luckily the corals that succumbed weren't anything uber pricey but it still sucked.

Making a general statement that applies to too many purveyors sadly. Can take a while for the anecdotal math to add up. Even then, we don't "know" anything without an ingredient list.

 

[Hagios]

Found this on Aquarium Specialty' site:

 

[sculpin01]

They misspelled milbemycin? That does not inspire confidence.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

Can you use interceptor as a dip instead of tank treatment? If so, what concentration and for how long?

 

[sculpin01]

Can you use interceptor as a dip instead of tank treatment? If so, what concentration and for how long?

Triple dip - combo

So, I've been having fun prophylactically dipping all my SPS before gluing everything to their final spots. The reason I've decided to do this you ask? Well, I've decided my relaxed dipping methods without QT for corals is going to end now. I have too much money in livestock at this point to...

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