interceptor question

rjbesch · May 24, 2012

so, I noticed a couple of small orange-red colored bugs on one of my acro frags today and have an interceptor pill on hand to treat. I can remove the frag easily to treat outside of the tank but am curious as to treating in the tank. I have read/heard that an interceptor treatment will kill my inverts. I have a pair of CB shrimp that, i know it's wrong to say this, but wouldn't be terribly upset if they "disappeared" as they have killed a few of my fish and I can't trap them or catch them without dismantling my tank. I also have a BTA and of course hermit crabs and snails, will an in-tank treatment kill off all of these guys from your experiences? I have never had to do an interceptor treatment and would like some info from those with this experience before these bigs spread to my other acros. Thanks in advance

Ricky

Aquaph8 · May 24, 2012

I would count on all shrimp and crabs. Snails should be Ok. Sometimes certain shrimps crabs survive but don't count on anything.

Aquaph8 · May 24, 2012

Also I would consider all your acros infected, treat the whole tank.

rjbesch · May 24, 2012

ok, not really concerned with losing the shrimp or crabs, but what about the BTA? and all other corals? All I have is one pill, and my setup is a 75 with a 40 breeder sump. What is the best way to do a treatment? Thanks for the info!

Ricky

Aquaph8 · May 24, 2012

Everything else will be fine. I can't remember the dosage it's been a while but you do 3 treatments. Let me see if I can find you some more info

reefknight · May 24, 2012

Kind of tagging along; does interceptor kill urchins?

Aquaph8 · May 24, 2012

Ok, the large pill will treat 400 gallons. For your tank I would use a razor blade and cut it into four pieces( this will leave you a piece for Qt later of you wish). You need to do 3 treatments. The first two are seven days apart and the third 14 days later. Each treatment is 12 hours. Crush the pill up and mix it with a cup of water really well. Make sure all water gets treated and turn off your skimmer and reactors. Follow up the twelve hour treatment with a 20% water change. Be sure to do all 3 treatments and you'll be redbug free.

rjbesch · May 25, 2012

Thanks! I will get some fresh water mixing up tomorrow!

evolved · May 25, 2012

It only targets crustaceans. Therefore, anemones, urchins, snails, etc won't be affected.

Hermits are probably goners. Any crabs are most likely too. However, some of the larger shrimp can handle it, so long as you don't overdose it. I have a CBS that's survived a few rounds of treatment over the years. Cleaner shrimp seem to be hit/miss if they make it or not.

reefknight · May 25, 2012

evolved said:
It only targets crustaceans. Therefore, anemones, urchins, snails, etc won't be affected.

Hermits are probably goners. Any crabs are most likely too. However, some of the larger shrimp can handle it, so long as you don't overdose it. I have a CBS that's survived a few rounds of treatment over the years. Cleaner shrimp seem to be hit/miss if they make it or not.

Thank you for that reply. I wasn't sure about urchins.

rjbesch · May 25, 2012

evolved said:
It only targets crustaceans. Therefore, anemones, urchins, snails, etc won't be affected.

Hermits are probably goners. Any crabs are most likely too. However, some of the larger shrimp can handle it, so long as you don't overdose it. I have a CBS that's survived a few rounds of treatment over the years. Cleaner shrimp seem to be hit/miss if they make it or not.

good info, I want my coral banded pair out because I want to get some of the fish I had that they "took care of." I just can't seem to catch them or rap them, so if the interceptor offs them, I can't say they will be missed.

Danny McElroy · Sep 29, 2024

What is the purpose of treating three times for 3 weeks? Do red bugs lay eggs that will hatch in subsequent weeks after the treatment? What happens if you don't do a water change and just leave the interceptor in long term and let it skim an filter sock out over time?