Stink bug in tank

paddle41773 · Nov 21, 2020

Ok guys. First reef tank, 130gal cycled for 2 weeks. 2 clowns, 2 shrimp 1 emerald. Here in Kentucky, our state bird is the stink bug https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...00px-Pentatomidae_-_Halyomorpha_halys-001.JPG
For those who dont know these things get everywhere. I mean it. If you sit still long enough you’ll have 3 in your pocket. Long story short, built my scape in garage, stink bugs got in, got most out during cycle. Found one yesterday under a cave my peppermint shrimp been living in. I cant get it out. Will it hurt anything? Mini nitrate battery until it decomposes? Leech poison? From wiki:

The odor from the stink bug is due to trans-2-decenal and trans-2-octenal.[10] The smell has been characterized as a "pungent odor that smells like cilantro."[5] The stink bug's ability to emit an odor through holes in its abdomen is a defense mechanism meant to prevent it from being eaten by birds and lizards. However, simply handling the bug, injuring it, or attempting to move it can trigger it to release the odor.

Reports on human cases are rare, but the stink bug's bodily fluids are toxic and irritating to the human skin and eyes.

DanConnor · Nov 26, 2020

Nah- we are being barraged by these this year; I probably get a couple lost in the reef a day. Doesn't seem to hurt anything.

takitaj · Nov 26, 2020

I found a few of them in mine this year. They made the tank stink for a little while but thankfully there was no ill effects. They actually squirt some stinky juice out their posterior. ;Vomit

paddle41773 · Nov 26, 2020

DanConnor said:
Nah- we are being barraged by these this year; I probably get a couple lost in the reef a day. Doesn't seem to hurt anything.

Thank you so much. Makes me feel alot better!

paddle41773 · Nov 26, 2020

takitaj said:
I found a few of them in mine this year. They made the tank stink for a little while but thankfully there was no ill effects. They actually squirt some stinky juice out their posterior. ;Vomit

Awesome!

Dark_Knightt · Nov 26, 2020

Man we get a LOT of those in the woodlands of Canada where I live. Ive never had any in my tank (just flies) but i do remember one time i was lying in bed at night and I felt three of them crawl on me and i JUMPED XDD . IMO they smell more like green apples. Maybe we have a different species as you guys down in Big Blue Nation though

xxkenny90xx · Nov 26, 2020

I've also found a few floating in my tank, no ill effects at all

Clownfish_Boy · Dec 20, 2020

I say they smell more like Tapioca pudding. Love to squish 'em and smell 'em !

hds4216 · Dec 20, 2020

Gross, these do not exist where I'm from. The winter really keeps our bugs down.

Dark_Knightt · Dec 20, 2020

Clownfish_Boy said:
I say they smell more like Tapioca pudding. Love to squish 'em and smell 'em !

it is true though they dont smell bad, they just smell very strongly of fruit or something. at least in canada they do

Jgg12002 · Dec 20, 2020

Found one today sunken in my rear chamber looks like is been there awhile no problem on my end. I have fed them to my outside koi but if they are toxic I’ll stop that.
john