Possible red bugs?

[Brandont21]

Ive noticed a lack of PE extension the past few weeks and never thought anything of it. But my blue stag has not been looking great so i took a video and can see little white bugs running around. What do you guys think? Time for interceptor?

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I couldn't see anything in the video, unfortunately, but based on the description I am thinking copepods, which are harmless, and beneficial to your tank.

Doesn't answer why your blue stag isn't looking good though...

 

[bigfishvin]

Hard to see from the video

 

[Brandont21]

You can see them in this area. I circled one

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

You can see them in this area. I circled one

That's way to small to see, but copepods are very small.

 

[RabidDragon]

yea, if you watch the video, a bug crawls down the frag.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

@ISpeakForTheSeas is usually pretty good at this stuff, I still think copepods, but they will most likely have a definite answer.

 

[Brandont21]

Theres a few of them in the video, but yes they are very hard to see

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

It's possible they're White/Red/Black/Etc. Bugs (which are coral-parasitic copepods), but I personally wouldn't feel confident making that ID without much closer (read: microscope) pics, as other critters (like harmless ostracods) sometimes walk around on corals too.

If it is a parasitic copepod, though, the below may help (and Interceptor may help too):

Yeah, white bugs, red bugs, black bugs, etc. (coral-parasitic pods) will almost exclusively be found on their host corals. For more info on these and for some closer up pics/drawings:

Aquarium Corals: Stony Coral Parasites: Red and Black Bugs: Identification Guide, Preventive Measures, and a Review of Treatment Protocols

This article is but a small tool for use by serious hobbyists in answering many questions.

reefs.com

Aquarium Corals: Stony Coral Parasites, Part Two: Copepods: Family Xarifiidae

Dana continues last month's discussion about copepods.

reefs.com

https://av.tib.eu/media/55499