SPS Dipping and Pest Prevention

Dip Every Coral. Every. Single. Time.

Skipping the dip on a new frag is a gamble with the entire system. One undipped acro frag can introduce acropora-eating flatworms that wipe out hundreds of pounds worth of coral within weeks.

Why Dipping Matters

SPS corals host parasites and pests that are often invisible to the naked eye:

Acropora-eating flatworms (AEFW): Nearly transparent, feed on acropora tissue. Eggs survive most dips, so repeated treatment is needed
Montipora-eating nudibranchs: Small white nudibranchs that leave circular bite marks. Devastating to monti colonies
Red bugs: Tiny red copepods that reduce growth and colour on acropora
Acropora-eating spiders: Hide at branch bases

Recommended Dipping Protocol

Prepare the dip. Coral Rx Pro or Bayer Advanced (with imidacloprid) both work well. Follow product instructions — more is not better
Temperature match. Mix with tank water at the same temperature
Dip for 5–10 minutes. Use a turkey baster to blast the base, between branches, and any crevices
Inspect the dip water. Hold it up to a light — flatworms, nudibranchs, and tiny worms often fall off
Rinse in clean saltwater before placing into the display
Repeat after one week. AEFW eggs survive dips. A second dip 5–7 days later catches newly hatched pests

Beyond Dipping: Quarantine

A quarantine setup does not need to be fancy — a 20–40 litre tank with basic light, heater, and a powerhead. No live rock (pests hide in it). Keep new corals in QT for 2–4 weeks with regular inspections and dips.

Natural Pest Control

Some fish supplement pest management:

Six-line wrasse — eats monti-eating nudibranchs and flatworms
Yellow coris wrasse — picks at various small invertebrate pests
Melanurus wrasse — solid all-round pest hunter

Wrasses supplement dipping but do not replace it. By the time a fish notices a pest, there is usually already an infestation.

What dip products are people using? Coral Rx and Bayer both have strong followings — share what works below.