How long can they survive?

[anomie]

A little intro....

I orderd 5 frags of zoas that were shipped out on Thursday for overnight priority delivery for Friday morning. I'm sure you know where this is headed, but they failed to be delivered on friday...and on saturday nada too. I called them and the package is lost. UGH! Anyhoo, they hope to find the package and deliver it sometime monday. Can they survive that long? Is it possible? I know the temps locally have been running in the mid to high 80's, but they were lost in a sorting facility. I have no idea if it is temp controlled in there or not. If temps were okay, is there a chance that they made it or would the lack of water movement, oxygen etc have done them in already?

 

[fishes2889]

to be honest no....what company did you use?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Depending on the packaging I would say there is a slight chance if found early Monday. Very slight though...

Sorry...

 

[3mm3]

Anything is possible. I had 2 sps frags survive after 5 days.

 

[anomie]

FedEx. I haven't had a problem with them or any other shipping service before. I know I can get my money back, but frankly I would have preferred that I had healthy corals instead. It stinks knowing that these beautiful corals are dead/dying somewhere.

So, I shouldn't even bother trying to acclimate or anything? I know, I'm crazy...

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I would temp acclimate and thats it. Just for 30min or so.

 

[Smarsh]

I had 2 Aussie Acans shipped via USPS survive for 4 days lost in the postal system. (by the way FateX, they are doing awesome).

So they may survive. Don't write them off yet.

Sandy

 

[anomie]

Anything is possible. I had 2 sps frags survive after 5 days.

Really? I thought that sps were more delicate shippers. I'm glad that they survived for ya.

<humming..He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes>

 

[anomie]

We should change this thread to a "what's the longest time you've had frags lost in shipping and survive thread."

And thanks everyone. I'm hoping and will report back.

 

[3mm3]

They survived but.....they were in very rough shape. They didn't start getting their color back for quite some time.

Really? I thought that sps were more delicate shippers. I'm glad that they survived for ya.

<humming..He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes>

 

[anomie]

They arrived! Two bags were without any sort of water. The rest had water, but again two were in really brown/gunky water and look like shriveled-up twigs. Two kinda look decent. I've got 4 frags out of the 6 (one freebie) sitting in a tupperware container w/tank water on top on my center brace. I turned on actnics and hope to see some signs of life. I'm normally very strict about dipping, but if these guys perk up, I'm not sure if I should stress them more.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I would inspect them very good at least.

 

[kiran523]

I did a test once I put a single polyp of Bam Bam in a small plastic container and just let it float at the top of my tank. After one week when I checked it the polyp was open and healthy. I threw it back in the tank and it is just fine. Of course the light and temperature were ideal but I wanted to see how it would do in an environment of very little gas exchange.

 

[Zoakeeper]

How Were They Packaged?

Were they in any type of cooler or just a box with styro,big difference....

 

[anomie]

They were in a styro cooler that must have had a crack in it. There were two bags w/o water yet there was no water in the bottom of the cooler. Unfortunately, the ones that I thought had a chance didn't make it. They just melted over the course of the week. I do have to say that the owners were very cool about it all and I received store credit for the full amount.