B-GONE Reef Tank Treatment

GSC "B-Gone" 

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**PLEASE READ FULLY PRIOR TO DOSING TANK**

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Product Information:

  • Bottle Size: 10 mL

  • Treatment Coverage: 10 mL treats 1000 gallons of water | 1 ml treats 100 gallons of water | 1 drop treats 5 gallons of water

  • Treatment For:
    • AEWB (Acropora Eating White Bugs)
    • AERB (Acropora Eating Red Bugs)
    • EEWB (Euphyllia Eating White Bugs)
      • Note: Theorized that EEWB and AEWB may actually be the same...
  • When To Use:
    • Use this when you have identified these pests in your reef tank. 
    • Great to use during quarantine process of new incoming corals

Understanding What You Are Treating

The reality is that there are tons and tons of little/tiny critters scurrying around in our reef tanks. These little critters have a job to do and generally benefit our reef tanks. Most of us have spotted these little critters on our rocks and glass. However, what you do not want to see, is these tiny little critters on the actual flesh of your corals! On occasion, you may see an amphipod run across your corals flesh, but they are not sticking around. If you have amazing eyesight and can see little red or white specks crawling around on the flesh of your coral, specifically, Acropora and Euphyllia, they do no belong there and are slowly causing damage to your coral. Using a magnifying glass, a jewelers loupe, or a digital microscope are the easiest ways to confirm and identify these unwanted pests. 

Pro Tip: Red/White Bugs do not really discriminate, however, they seem to favor certain types of acropora. Smooth Skin Acros, Millepora, and Tenuis. 

> Acropora Red Bugs (Tegastes acroporanus)

Acropora Red Bugs are parasitic copepods that primarily target smooth-skinned Acropora species. These pests are yellowish with a distinct red head, measuring less than 1 mm, making them difficult to detect without magnification. Red bugs feed on coral mucus, weakening the coral’s immune system and leading to dull coloration, slowed growth, and poor polyp extension.

Symptoms of Infestation:

  • Faded or brownish coloration in Acropora corals
  • Reduced growth rate
  • Lack of polyp extension, even under ideal conditions
  • Persistent stress, making corals more susceptible to other pathogens

> Acropora-Eating White Bugs (AEWB)

Acropora-Eating White Bugs are tiny, translucent-white crustacean parasites that infest Acropora corals. These pests latch onto the coral’s tissue, feeding on its fluids and causing color loss, tissue thinning, and reduced polyp extension. They are small but visible to the naked eye as tiny white specks on coral branches. Unlike red bugs, white bugs may carry eggs internally, allowing them to reproduce quickly and making eradication more challenging.

Symptoms of Infestation:

  • Loss of vibrant coloration in Acropora corals
  • Polyp retraction or minimal extension
  • Tissue thinning or slow tissue necrosis
  • Increased vulnerability to secondary infections

> Euphyllia-Eating White Bugs (EEWB):

Euphyllia-Eating White Bugs (EEWB) are tiny, nearly translucent parasitic crustaceans that infest Euphyllia species, including torch, frogspawn, and hammer corals. These pests attach themselves to the coral’s flesh, feeding on its tissue and causing significant polyp retraction, tissue thinning, and potential necrosis. Unlike Acropora Red Bugs, which primarily feed on coral mucus, EEWB appear to consume coral tissue directly, leading to severe tissue loss if left untreated.

Symptoms of Infestation:

  • Persistent polyp retraction despite stable water parameters
  • Loss of tissue at the base of polyps or along the coral’s skeleton
  • Reduced tentacle extension and feeding response
  • Corals appearing stressed or irritated, even in ideal conditions
  • White specks visible on coral tissue under close inspection

EEWB can multiply rapidly, making early detection and treatment crucial for preventing colony loss. Since they are highly resistant to many common reef treatments, a targeted approach using a product like B-Gone is often necessary for eradication.

Dosing Regimen (4-5 Weeks)

Preparation:

  1. Turn off protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, and remove activated carbon filtration.

  2. Ensure strong water flow to distribute the medication evenly.

  3. Remove crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, ornamental pods) if preservation is a priority, as B-Gone is toxic to them. 

EXTRA NOTES 

  • This treatment will also destroy your pod population. However, it will not completely eradicate them. They will bounce back after treatment and you can always re-populate the tank with pods a week or two after your last week of treatment.
  • Certain inverts seem to be more tolerant than others during treatment. This may not be true for all, but we have noticed snails, urchins, and dwarf brittle stars, typically pull through treatment.

Week 1:

  • Dose appropriate amount for water volume
  • Allow B-Gone to circulate for 24-48 hours
  • 20% Water change is recommended, but not mandatory
  • Turn on protein skimmer, UV, and add carbon

Week 2:

  • Dose appropriate amount for water volume
  • Allow B-Gone to circulate for 24-48 hours
  • 20% Water change is recommended, but not mandatory
  • Turn on protein skimmer, UV, and add carbon

Week 3:

  • Dose appropriate amount for water volume
  • Allow B-Gone to circulate for 24-48 hours
  • 20% Water change is recommended, but not mandatory
  • Turn on protein skimmer, UV, and add carbon

Week 4:

  • Dose appropriate amount for water volume
  • Allow B-Gone to circulate for 24-48 hours
  • 20% Water change is recommended, but not mandatory
  • Turn on protein skimmer, UV, and add carbon

Week 5 (if needed):

  • Continue the same dosage for another week if pests persist.

Post-Treatment Care:

  1. Reintroduce activated carbon filtration and UV sterilizers.

  2. Reintroduce removed crustaceans after a 48-hour period post-treatment.

  3. Observe for signs of re-infestation and repeat the regimen if necessary.

  4. Gradually restore skimmer settings to normal.

Important Notes:

  • Do NOT overdose – higher concentrations can harm corals and beneficial invertebrates.

  • Monitor coral health – if signs of stress appear, perform a partial water change and add carbon.

  • Store in a cool, dark place away from children and pets.