red bug questions

[hammondegge]

ok, i've seen the pictures of these bugs, but i still can't tell if i've got them. i just started thinking that they may be the cause of 2 corals slowly wasting away along very defined lines. really slowly, like weeks now. on one acro a lot of mucus is being producedm, and on the denae not so much. but on both there are little dots present. dark red, not moving really. they look like little grains of dirt. unfotunatly i do not have a camera that can capture them. could this be red bugs?? and if so does heartguard work? i dont have any interceptor.

[hobogato]

i dont think the bugs will even inhabit a montipora danae. they actually look more yellow to me with the naked eye. if they aren't appearing to move (mine show some movement), then they may be flatworms. i thought the acro eating flatworms were clear tho. a pic would really help - especially a macro shot.

[hammondegge]

they are not flatworms. look more like little grains of sand (smaller). they are attached to living tissue just in front of the line of necrosis. it could just be specks of algae. both corals came from the same tank though and no others are being affected?

[hobogato]

hmm. pics are probably gonna be a must to get some help.

[hammondegge]

i have read alot more on them and none of it is adding up. i dont think they are "red bugs". probably not bugs at all. but still wondering what it could be. i will try to get a pic some day if it lasts. thanks hobo.

[CD]

Red bugs are REALLY tiny...I know you mentioned that you've seen pictures of them (yellowish upper body with red butts) but the pics can't really emphasize how SMALL they are. When we got "da bugs", I literally had to use a magnf. glass to see them. I don't think what you have are red bugs though, as they generally space out over the coral they are attacking (not in a neat line), and you will generally notice a reduction of polyp extension on the coral, as the bugs agitate the coral. A good way of checking is taking one of the affected corals, use a bowl (white bowl is best - so you can see bugs easier) with tank water and coral dip (any iodine based dip will work). Dip the coral, and if you DO have red bugs, you will see a bunch of the little meanies bailing off the coral.
Good luck, and hopefully whatever it is - it won't spread to your other corals. ;)

Wendy