Red Bug Predators

[zt444a]

Are there any natural predators for Red Bugs?

Howie

 

[JxMetal]

dragonface pipefish

 

[Reeferhead]

I've also read the Melegris Leopard Wrasse will eat them but the pipefish does a better job as it can easily get into nooks and crannies. However, both are hit and miss and fairly difficult to keep particularly the pipefish.

 

[JxMetal]

that'd be cool if the wrasse eats them. Mine's more than healthy and eats up rods food like no other. Very cool fish I'd recommend.

 

[zt444a]

After a bit of research and opinions, the consensus seems to be that though there are a couple of fish that might eat them, they will not eat them fast enough to keep up and make the red bugs disappear completely.

Not to mention both fish are a bit on the harder side to keep...

I might get a Leopard Wrasse in the future though to help out with things. Too much flow for a pipefish.

 

[stlouisguy]

Just nuke it. Well worth it

 

[Reeferhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11034143#post11034143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JxMetal
that'd be cool if the wrasse eats them. Mine's more than healthy and eats up rods food like no other. Very cool fish I'd recommend.

Does yours stay out most of the time or hide?

How big is it?

What other tank mates do you have? Do any bother it?

Have you figured out its sex yet?

And finally... do you have a pic?

Sorry for all the questions but I saw my first red bug last night and I'm considering all my options before I drop an Interceptor Bomb

*Note to those who got corals from me at the swap: So far I've only seen two RBs on one frag of A. nana. This not one of the corals that I fragged for the swap. I haven't seen any RBs or witnessed poor polyp extension on any of the other Acros in my main or frag tanks. Its probably unlikely that any of the frags I brought carried RBs but if I had seen any in my tank earlier I would have never brought frags to the swap, sorry.

 

[Reeferhead]

Oh and Jeff... the skimmer is awesome!

 

[JxMetal]

so many questions!

Let's see


Does yours stay out most of the time or hide? Wakes up from his bed in the sand around 10:00 (actinics on at 11, MH on at 12) swims around all day and then dives into the sand around 8:00 pm

How big is it?
3.5" or 4" big boy

What other tank mates do you have? Do any bother it?
I have so many fish, let's see. :lol: oscerallis clown, percula clown, 2 scissortail gobys, cherub angel, tomini tang, fairy wrasse(red sand hopper variety), mandarin........i THINK that's it. Is this a heavy bioload?

Have you figured out its sex yet?
No, I haven't been able to flip it over and check yet. But it doesn't scream, throw fits, or tell me I'm worthless and make messes. So I think it's a male then right?

And finally... do you have a pic? Not right now, I can try and get one later.

 

[JxMetal]

glad you like the skimmer, just wait until it breaks in.

 

[Reeferhead]

No, I haven't been able to flip it over and check yet. But it doesn't scream, throw fits, or tell me I'm worthless and make messes. So I think it's a male then right?

Depends, does it whine because your never home and then just nag when you are?

How deep a sand bed do you have, I forgot?

 

[JxMetal]

it sleeps in the area that's about 3 inches deep