Mystery critters on an acro

[wasp]

I have an acro that was purchased around a month ago, in dark brown condition. It got stn from the bottom shortly after purchase, and as a result I fragged it. The frags all went in the frag tank and are slowly improving in health.
The main piece, just with the bottom stumps, still with a bit of flesh, is still in my main, and the stn has now stopped, and the coral is starting to show some polyps for the first time ever.
BUT - here is the question. Looking at the coral by flashlight and night, I can see tiny critters on the exposed skeleton at the base. They are so small they can only just be seen, and are shaped like the pics of red bugs I have seen, but they are not red. They slowly move around, and do not seem to be on the living flesh. They are nowhere else in the tank, that I can see. I am hoping they are just some critters that showed up to pick over the recently exposed skeleton, but could they be anything more sinister than that?
I'd rather play safe and be rid of them, but I don't want to risk stirring them up and spreading them, I want to do it right first time. The coral will be very easy to remove and dip, but what should I dip it in?

[gqjeff]

Are they yellow under the flashlight? If so I would say redbugs. You have any pics?

[nyfireman3097]

sure ur not lokin at pods and mysis they run all over the corals at night
Nick

[wasp]

Yes, they are yellow / dull brown under the flashlight. Sorry, cannot do a pic, my camera just will not get that detail.
They are not pods or mysis.
Well I think I'd rather play safe & kill them, what can I dip the coral in to do that?
This Interceptor I see you guys talking about is not available in my country. Would a FW dip do it?
I don't want to dip in something that will not do a 100% job, I don't want any half dead ones floating off around the tank when I put it back in & infecting the rest of the tank.
Any suggestions?

[gqjeff]

I would almost say def 100% red bugs... I have done freshwater dips 2 times for the bugs.. It really really stresses the sps out and not 100% effective.. I am not sure if a strong lugals or seachem dip would do any good either.. If you do either one though make sure you use a powerhead or a turkey baster and REALLY blast it to try to shake them off... How many frags or corals do you have it on? If worse comes to worst maybe I could mail u some interceptor for the treatment... I have to go see my vet soon anyways...

[nyfireman3097]

yeah nothing yet works on them other then the incepitor Jeff LMK if u can get them or not other wise ill try my vet
Nick

[wasp]

Thanks guys. Well, I'll do a FW dip with that seachem dip, and I'll look around see if I can get ahold of some interceptor from somewhere.
Hey, what an incredibly cool bunch of guys actually offering to get me some!! I'm sure it won't come to that though I buy a lot of stuff on the net, should be able to track it down.
What I may do is do a FW with seachem dip, blast the coral as you say, and then keep in isolation for a time to observe.
Cheers for the help!

[nyfireman3097]

Just from what i have read that doesnt work but GL if u or jeff cant get it ill get it LMK keep me updated
Nick

[wasp]

Thanks. Yes, I'll update on this.

[Aged Salt]

Alastair, a mandarin, scotter bleny or wrasse may help. Bob

[wasp]

Yes, I'd love to have a manderin, but since going zeo my pods have all but dissapeared, I think there is just not any waste food for them now. A wrasse would be the only option, but I'm wanting to keep the fish load down, I think I'll be going the chemical route.
I did have a 6 line, he was a cool fish with great personality, did add interest to the tank. Sadly, he jumped out one day. However the fish load was a bit on the high side, so I did not replace.
What I do have, is one of those little yellow acropora gobies, and he picks over the acropora. Never quite get to see what he actually is eating, but it is not the acropora itself, as it does not seem to mind him on it. As he spends all day in the acropora, just like a clown in an anemone, it is probably likely that he would in nature derive his diet from sources such as bugs on the acropora.

[Aged Salt]

Alastair, sounds like a good plan. I believe some nudibranchs are also helpful[black?] Bob

[nyfireman3097]

be very very careful though wit them there very toxic
Nick