Black Bugs - An Acro keepers worst nightmare?

MixedFruitBasket · Dec 11, 2019

I think this is what the Kombia angulata looks like.

samnaz · Dec 11, 2019

Earl Karl said:
If it can survive super concentrated bayer (not the one you get at Home Depot), I don't think Lugol's ain't gonna do anything unless you put enough to kill the acro. Even then, you might just end up with a dead acro and still alive black bugs. At most you can stun them without killing the acro.

Only way to get rid of them is full strength bayer or lugol's dip and baster or powerhead them off the coral. Then you flush those f****** for good.

got link to purchase said bayer dip? The stuff I've got came from amazon, I think might be the same stuff from homedepot etc.

Graffiti Spot · Dec 12, 2019

I think people are confusing two different or three different pests as black bugs. One is a pod that’s a little lighter which is not as harmful. Another is the black bugs and the other are the slug like worms in the last video which are similar to the zoo this pest slug that takes the color of the polyps.

Earl Karl · Dec 12, 2019

samnaz said:
got link to purchase said bayer dip? The stuff I've got came from amazon, I think might be the same stuff from homedepot etc.

It's a commercial brand, same amount of volume cost about $100 or more even. But it's very concentrated, so you use less. It's actually cheaper per dip, this stuff is so concentrated, it will last you a lifetime. I don't know where you get the stuff, I would have to ask my wholesaler today.

sevitz5 · Dec 13, 2019

Does anyone know if the black bugs live exclusively on the acro? Could removing all acros from the tank save the tank? I have all mine in QT after finding tiny black specs moving on the base of a coral. Do we know if the sps flesh is their food source and without it they will die off in a few weeks? From what I’m reading, guy that had the bugs and gave up on keeping acros don’t see the bugs anymore.

sevitz5 · Dec 13, 2019

In my video, ignore the flatworm looking things. Concentrate on the tiny black specs on the base of the coral moving slowly. Are these the dreaded black bugs? I have been told they are a type of copepod.

Graffiti Spot · Dec 13, 2019

Oh I see the black specs now. I will watch the video again later when I get more time.

Backreefing · Dec 16, 2019

sevitz5 said:
This is what I’m battling.

I’m gonna have to say any self respecting wrasse ( 6line for example ), would be on them like a fish on a worm .
but worms like that scare me .

sevitz5 · Dec 16, 2019

Backreefing said:
I’m gonna have to say any self respecting wrasse ( 6line for example ), would be on them like a fish on a worm .
but worms like that scare me .

I added a large melanarus to the tank to help out. I also bought a six line, but something beat the hell out of him and he went belly up today.

Backreefing · Dec 16, 2019

I love and hate my 6line . he came threw for me one time , I added a leather coral he grabbed a worm from it , he looked like a dog attacking a pull toy .
but I hate him to , he’s a bully and a jerk . He nips at fish . I put a mirrored background behind the aquarium and he shadow boxes and fights himself constantly. I thought he’ll calm down. Been a year and he’s still shadow boxing.
returning the the thread he no doubt would be on the worms .

sevitz5 · Dec 16, 2019

Yea I’m counting on the new melanarus wrasse to do the job! Lol

Backreefing · Dec 16, 2019

What of yellow coris wrasse. 4,6,8 lines , Mandreane fish . Sea horses, pipe fish , assorted demsels ?

Backreefing · Dec 16, 2019

Isn’t there a Nudibranch that eats worms to black / blue . the velvet Nudibranch

sevitz5 · Dec 16, 2019

Yea I have heard that the blue velvet nudibranch eats them

Rickyrooz · May 18, 2020

Are these the acropora eating black bugs? Mine seem to have black and white bands, some are brown.

CoralWealth · May 18, 2020

Rickyrooz said:
Are these the acropora eating black bugs? Mine seem to have black and white bands, some are brown.

Those look like the ones I had over a year ago. I did a 4x interceptor treatment 3x on them and they have never came back.

ReeferB28 · May 18, 2020

Or, drop temps to 67-68, for two months, if possible. Did that in my mixed sps/ lps tanks, and they never came back. I suggest gradually decreasing the temperature , to that level. Over the span of a couple days

Rickyrooz · May 18, 2020

Demmelition4 said:
Those look like the ones I had over a year ago. I did a 4x interceptor treatment 3x on them and they have never came back.

Cody,
Did you also have these white bugs? They look like little copepods similar to red bugs and move very quick. If you look closely you can see a few of the black bugs on the base of the coral. I am wondering if they are juvenile black bugs or a different species. I did two large dog Interceptor tablets last night and this morning I no longer see the white bugs but I see more of the black bugs.