Red Planet issue

[Syntax1235]

I have had this red planet acro in the tank for a few weeks and have noticed this recession from the base. I removed the coral and saw what looks like but marks and recession at the base. I don’t see any pests.

I’ve had one other coral do this, and I fragged it and the recession stopped stopped on its own.

alk: 7.8 (salifert)
Po4: .07
NItrate: 10
Cal: 425
Mg: 1425

 

[KrisReef]

Nice pictures for the thread!

Im on my phone and don’t see anything that looks like a huge problem (No AEFW, and minimal recession)

Too be safe I cut mine off the plug, (toss the plug) and glue the frag onto the rocks inside the tank and let them grow.

 

[Syntax1235]

There are bugs at the base. I fragged the coral.

Bugs

 

[KrisReef]

There are bugs at the base. I fragged the coral.

Bugs

Wow, more crazy photography and even I can see the bugs. I have very old eyes and I don’t see anything in many pictures that get posted on here, but you have a gift for capturing an image!
Sorry about the bugs, hope you keep them out or under control.
I wish I had your camera skills and eyes!

 

[Syntax1235]

These look like black to me. Are these the dreaded black bugs? I’ve researched how to eradicate these things, and it seems that breaking down the tank and starting over may be the best option?

Anyone ever deal with these successfully?

 

[KrisReef]

Hey folks, look at the link and help if the tiny black bugs In this video!

I’ve never dealt with these myself.

@ReefSquad

 

[ScottB]

The black bugs seem the most resistant to Interceptor if memory serves. But IIRC, a triple dose or more has worked for some. They MAY also be addressed with Interceptor, but (for the second time today) I'd check with @sculpin01 on that option. He has some experience; I do not.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Nice pictures for the thread!

Im on my phone and don’t see anything that looks like a huge problem (No AEFW, and minimal recession)

Too be safe I cut mine off the plug, (toss the plug) and glue the frag onto the rocks inside the tank and let them grow.

Can you show me bugs please?

 

[Syntax1235]

The video shows one of the bugs moving on the lower right of the video.

YouTube link: Bug

 

[sculpin01]

The whole "black bugs" thing is a conundrum because I'm still waiting to see microscopic pics of the "bugs". In this case, please dip the coral in potassium chloride 10 g/L tank water for 5-10 minutes. If the bugs are copepod parasites, they should die from this dip. Take some of the dead bugs and look at them/take pics under a microscope. If they look like either of these two below, you have a garden variety copepod parasite that should respond to serial KCl dips, interceptor, or ivermectin. If they don't die in KCl, you most likely have a macroscopic ciliate which will require a completely different approach.

BTW, the 4th and 5th images above appear to show two of the white species of Tegastes near the coral base.

Red bugs (Tegastes):

White bugs (Tegastes):

Alteuthellopsis corallina:

 

[Syntax1235]

I’m researching microscopes, probably a good thing to have on hand. There’s definitely a lot of information available regarding the purchase of a microscope.

I’ll post pictures when I’m able.

Thanks for the recommendations and advice @sculpin01

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

I’m researching microscopes, probably a good thing to have on hand. There’s definitely a lot of information available regarding the purchase of a microscope.

I’ll post pictures when I’m able.

Thanks for the recommendations and advice @sculpin01

I have a TOMLOV DM202 HDMI microscope and it works pretty well for Acropora inspection. Can pick one up on Amazon for around $259.99. It's usually 289.99, but there is a 30.00 coupon right now.

Personally, I think you fragged it for nothing. It looked fine to me. I've seen someook this way from snails munching on algae on the plug and they run up on the base of the Acro a little. Your Acro has some great colors and looks healthy.

Don't let paranoia get the best of you. I know it's easy to panic a bit and think we have a problem, but unless you just obtained that frag and have no idea about its history, I wouldn't worry about it much.

 

[sculpin01]

I’m researching microscopes, probably a good thing to have on hand. There’s definitely a lot of information available regarding the purchase of a microscope.

I’ll post pictures when I’m able.

Thanks for the recommendations and advice @sculpin01

AmScopes are pretty good and won't break the bank.

 

[Syntax1235]

I have a TOMLOV DM202 HDMI microscope and it works pretty well for Acropora inspection. Can pick one up on Amazon for around $259.99. It's usually 289.99, but there is a 30.00 coupon right now.

Personally, I think you fragged it for nothing. It looked fine to me. I've seen someook this way from snails munching on algae on the plug and they run up on the base of the Acro a little. Your Acro has some great colors and looks healthy.

Don't let paranoia get the best of you. I know it's easy to panic a bit and think we have a problem, but unless you just obtained that frag and have no idea about its history, I wouldn't worry about it much.

I was checking this scope out and some of the reviewers say that it doesn’t go up to the advertised 1300x magnification. Is that even relevant when looking at bugs and algae cells? Can the scope get close like the pictures of the bugs that are posted in this this thread?

these questions are for anyone

do you ever want more magnification for certain things? Maybe a stereo microscope is all that is needed that magnifies 200x?

 

[Syntax1235]

Here’s a video of a bug on a miagi tort that has been struggling for months. At around 50 seconds you can see its legs as it rounds the tip of the coral. Is this enough for an Id? @sculpin01

Bug

 

[Syntax1235]

Here’s a video of a bug on a miagi tort that has been struggling for months. At around 50 seconds you can see its legs as it rounds the tip of the coral. Is this enough for an Id? @sculpin01

Bug

 

[Syntax1235]

Here’s an even better video…. You can clearly see the legs.

Bugs

worms

 

[Syntax1235]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im wondering if not an ostracod often confused with black bugs

 

[Syntax1235]

Im wondering if not an ostracod often confused with black bugs

Never heard of them. The video’s I linked show they fairly well with movement of their legs.