What else will be killed by Interceptor?

[ReeferAl]

I recently discovered that I have red bugs so I have decided to treat the tank. Some of the acros are grown onto very large rocks and removing them all to another tank just isn't possible.

I know Interceptor will kill all the crustaceans, including pods, shrimp and hermit crabs. I'm trying to remove the shrimp and hermits prior to treating. I guess it will also kill most of the worms, presumably including the little feather dusters?

Does anyone know if it will affect echinoderms? Are urchins and sea stars at risk?

Allen

 

[lllosingit]

Just remember it's not always what you put in the tank that does the damage, What dies in the tank can also cause major problems. Flatworms become toxic when they die.
Have you tried a sixline wrasse or anything else that's known to eat them?
I will also add I know nothing about interceptor but have read plenty of threads where Salifert Flatworm eXit was used with great results.
It's all going to depend on how bad the problem is.
You can also try siphon some of them up before you treat.

 

[cooper9177]

I have used interceptor for three separate treatments it will only kill crustaceans and not all. my sally lightfoots and some hermits along with my cleaner shrimp lived. it did kill a few pods and the mytrax all other animals are fine. snails and stars included. A lot of people misunderstand and think inverts. As a matter of fact you will immediately see polyp ext. as soon as the treatment starts. after the first treatment you will relax not to mention you will see corals change into colors you did not see before. just follow the directions and pull all the crabs and shrimp you can even your feather dusters are fine. all slugs and even the evil flat worms will still be there. I even overdosed my 125 with an entire pill no problems but I do not recommend OD.

 

[cooper9177]

also the only natural predator of red bugs are dragon pipefish and the flow in most reef tanks are too much for them

 

[ReeferAl]

Thanksfor the replies.
I tried for an hour before the lights came on to catch 1 of my 4 cleaner shrimp with no luck. I gave up and decided to bite the bullet and remove the acros to another tank. I have moved almost all to my coral QT. Just 2 remain. They are the ones that I know I can't remover without some serious damage. I'll leave those til the last minute. I'll also have to kill the remaining acro tissue in the tank. The 2 I referred to have encrusted onto very large rocks and when I remove them the encrusting will still remain. I'll have to kill off that tissue so the red bugs have nothing to survive off of while the corals are being treated out of the tank.

Allen

 

[Ludwigia73]

First, to address your last post. Cleaner shrimp are easy to catch with a little patience. It's easy to get them to eat out of your hand. They'll ride your hand right to the surface, where you scoop em up with a clear container.

Second, I've treated 3 times now.
First treatment (consisting of 3 doses) I lost ALL mysid shrimp, some pods, one of two emerald crabs, and a few hermits. I did NOT lose my blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp, most of my hermits, most of my pods, clams, feather dusters, or gorgonians.

Second treatment affected my cleaner shrimp adversely, but he did live. I'd liken it to brain damage. Dunno what else to call it. Lost a few more hermits, the other emerald crab, and some more pods.

Third treatment only lost some pods.

Last treatment was well over a year ago, lots of pods back, but cannot cannot cannot get mysid to live in my tank after 50+ water changes.