Using dog de-wormer to get rid of redbugs?

[AquariaEye]

So I noticed some of my acroporas were not doing so hot. Upon close inspection I discovered they were covered with redbugs. I tried using a coral dip but it did not work. After some research and talking to more experienced saltwater aquarium owners I have decided to try Interceptor (MILBEMYCIN OXIME). However, Interceptor has been discontinued so I ordered another de-wormer that has Milbemycin Oxime as well as two other ingredients ( lufenuron and praziquantel). I plan to dose my 120 gallon tank but I need to know what effects, if any, lufenuron and praziquantel will have on creatures in my tank. I know I need to remove my shrimp and crabs because milbemycin oxime will kill them but should I also remove things like my brittle stars, serpent stars, bubble tip anemone, tuxedo urchin, clam?

 

[Spar]

probably safer to research the Bayer method as seems to be what people are doing more often these days. i still have some old Interceptor so haven't made the switch yet. a forum search on 'bayer' will give you plenty of how-to's.

 

[bertoni]

Someone else might have experimented with that drug, which would give you some data. I can't guess as to what animals might be killed.

 

[AquariaEye]

A lot of people have used Sentinel dog de-wormer for this specific purpose with great results. I am just having a hard time finding out how it effected clams, anemones, urchins, starfish...etc.

 

[captjab]

From my understandings, your clam, starfish, snails, and anemones will be fine. I'm unsure about urchins, but crabs and shrimp will be at risk so it is best to remove them. This is for treating with Interceptor or Sentinel.
There is a lot of info on the subject in the SPS forum about treating with the above.

 

[triggreef]

P r az i is safe, dunno about the other one listed. Bayer I believe it's used as a dip not a whole tank treatment. I could be wrong but I use it only as a dip.

 

[caleb bruyn]

I used Levamiasol which is a goat de wormer. It killed all the flat worms and pests but It also hurt everything. Corals were okay though. I quarantined the start fish, cucumbers, anything I could catch. You have to watch for anything that will eat the pest your treating for because they absorb it then the fish eat the pest full of meds. Its like having a super dose of the med you used. I lost a few small fish that way. My tank is still recovering 16 months later. The tank had unforeseen side effects of nitrate and phosphate that I am still working on. Good luck.

 

[tmz]

Red bugs can really damage an acro tank. It's hard t ochoose a replacement for interceptor which worked rally well with the least collateral damage.

Don't use the Bayer insecticide stuff in the tank. Check the sps forum for anecdotal reports. Even as dip it can be dangerous; the cyflutrin in it is toxic to aquatic organisms at parts per trillion and it doesn't seem to break down well in water so a buildup is possible. There are reports of success against red bugs when used as a dip a few corals at a time with careful attention to rinsing afterward ;but, it's a risk ,imo.

As I recall there is a lot of praziquantel in the Sentinel(which I think is the product you are considering) much more in an effective dose of sentile for red bugs than the recommended amount that one would normally dose with prazi pro for flukes.I don't know what effects that high leel might have on a tank.
The lufeneron will inhibit chitin production,Chitin is important in mollusk radiata and exoskeletal growth for other animals.
I haven't tried Sentinel and still have some interceptor should I need it but haven't seen any evidence of tegastes in a very long time since treating with interceptor a few years ago. The melbemycin oxime seems to be very effective but it kills some shrimp and pods too or at least knocks out their neuro systems temporarily sometimes with lethal effect.