Who has had AEFW and beat them?

rastaangel · #1 03-21-2012, 12:51 AM

Well I just did a full evaluation on all my SPS. I found that more then 1/3 of my tank has the small bite marks of AEFW or eggs on the bottom of them which says that this has been going on for a while I just never figured it out and blamed the red bugs for the loss of color.

Do these lil bastards only lay eggs on corals or on the rocks to?

Aquattro · #2 03-21-2012, 12:58 AM

Since they lay eggs on the frag plugs, I'd assume they can lay them on rock as well. Only way to really get rid of them is remove all acros from the tank, treat them and leave the tank empty for some length of time.
Management has had varying degrees of success from threads I've read on RC

rastaangel · #3 03-21-2012, 01:05 AM

well at this point in time I dont have the required equipment or space to QT all my SPS... Im so angry im at a total loss for words

daniella3d · #4 03-21-2012, 01:43 AM

I think in your case I would try the new treatment, even if it only to make your SPS regain health and color it would be worth it. If it work, you might be able to control the population with time.

It is surely worth a try, better then having to remove all corals and stress them even further or break them...plus even if you remove them all and dip them, the flatworms will still be around in the liverock and there will be their eggs. They is no garantee they won't return and you would have done all this work for nothing. hmmm...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaangel

well at this point in time I dont have the required equipment or space to QT all my SPS... Im so angry im at a total loss for words

Aquattro · #5 03-21-2012, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniella3d

They is no garantee they won't return and you would have done all this work for nothing. hmmm...

Leaving the tank free for the required period does guarantee it. Not sure the time, but they do die out, just like ich or velvet.

dreef · #6 03-21-2012, 02:12 AM

The only way is to remove all the acroporas and dip them and put them into a quarantine tank for at least 2 months.The quarantined acros need to be inspected and redipped weekly,removing any eggs.Any encrusting on the rocks has to be removed.If you don't break the cycle the new eggs hatch and it starts all over again.

daniella3d · #7 03-21-2012, 02:58 AM

Do the corals survive this? for 2 months that mean that one must have a good stable mature tank with the same lighting for 2 months and the corals being fetch out and dipped each week, must be very harsh on them.

I hope I never get that crap. copper poisoning is enough nightmare for a lifetime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreef

The only way is to remove all the acroporas and dip them and put them into a quarantine tank for at least 2 months.The quarantined acros need to be inspected and redipped weekly,removing any eggs.Any encrusting on the rocks has to be removed.If you don't break the cycle the new eggs hatch and it starts all over again.

Aquattro · #8 03-21-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaangel

well at this point in time I dont have the required equipment or space to QT all my SPS... Im so angry im at a total loss for words

No doubt. Luckily I've escaped these things. I've bought frags that when I got home found them under the microscope, at that point I toss the frag out.

I actually recall having these in a tank about 12 years ago, long before anyone knew what they were. I saw it and thought "hmm, cool little wormy thing" and put it back in my tank

That tank never showed signs of damage, but I wasn't looking, and the tank wasn't up for that long.
After episodes with red bugs over the years, I've learned to inspect every frag I get. I know that doesn't help now, but going forward, it's something to think about.

Myka · #9 04-05-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaangel

Well I just did a full evaluation on all my SPS. I found that more then 1/3 of my tank has the small bite marks of AEFW or eggs on the bottom of them which says that this has been going on for a while I just never figured it out and blamed the red bugs for the loss of color.

Wow Cory, looks like you need better dipping and/or quarantining protocol.

I had AEFW in my tank once on a colony I had just bought. It was in my tank for a couple weeks when I noticed it browning out and saw the bite marks. I was using Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure for dipping (which is supposed to eliminate AEFW btw) at that time. I solved the problem by throwing the coral in the garbage can. Luckily I haven't seen them since (touch wood). AEFW are seriously the worst thing (besides RTN) that can happen to an SPS tank.

I now use Coral Rx, Levamisole, and Interceptor dips on all incoming Acros. I also put them in quarantine for at least 2 weeks. They are generally quite brown after all that.

I don't mind, color comes back. Btw, no treatment exists that kills AEFW eggs, so quarantine is really the best protocol.

Have you seen this article? The Levamisole dip described is the one I use. Things that Suck: Acropora Eating Flatworms

rastaangel · #10 04-06-2012, 12:09 AM

So I just treated with levasol...
AND THERE ALL DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of my fish are having a huge flatworm meal, except my sleeper goby he seems to like to eat the mini brittles that arnt doin to well
I will be using this treatment every week for 4 months to make sure there all dead as well as weekly inspecting for eggs