not a redbug?

Reef Bass

colors and textures
Some of my buddy's previously incredibly furry, insanely colored acros started losing some color and polyp extension. I went hunting with my macro lens and found these things. As is often the case, reduction in color and pe can be due to a combination of factors, not always just one. However, I wonder if these things are part of the problem. They are very similar to redbugs, little arthropods, but they don't look like any redbug I've ever seen.

Here's a big fat one that didn't move much, other than with current. It is so fat it almost looks like a gastropod, but it did have little legs.


There were also numerous small ones, which were much more active, scurrying about on another frag.


For comparison, these are the redbugs I usually see with red heads and yellow bodies.


While I'm not so concerned with the color differences, the body shape of these new to me things seems very different from "normal" redbugs.

What are these things? Are they parasites?

Sure look that way to me...

Thanks for your input.
 
For redbugs I use a whole tank Interceptor treatment.

In this case, there were multiple frags involved, including some large encrusted colonies, and dipping individual corals would be laborious. Assuming these things are arthropods, I would be tempted to try an Interceptor treatment on them.
 
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Best guesses? Weak theories?

If no one knows I'm going name this guy Acropestius reefbassii, after the discoverer. :D
 
There are over 600 different parasitic copepods. The scary part.... There are external and internal parasitic copepods. Most people call me crazy or just dissmiss me when i say this. I will dig up the links for you
 
Internal parasitic copepods? Yikes!

I agree that these are similar to the ones mentioned in the links above. It's not surprising there are little critters besides redbugs dining on acros.

Thanks Acronic and rtbm. I appreciate your taking the time to point out those links.
 
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