Livestock Delivery Delayed via UPS...What Now?

[Sonja P]

Unfortunately there is a delay in receiving livestock from the Florida Keys. Porcupine puffer and pair of jawfish were supposed to arrive yesterday 12/19 (they were timestamped at 7pm on 12/18). That means we’re looking at 40 hours in shipping bags....

What is “emergency” procedure if these fish arrive with some life left in them? Do I temp acclimate but skip the drip acclimation, assuming they will need oxygen ASAP?

Or should I be fully expecting them DOA?

 

[JasonK84]

Unfortunately there is a delay in receiving livestock from the Florida Keys. Porcupine puffer and pair of jawfish were supposed to arrive yesterday 12/19 (they were timestamped at 7pm on 12/18). That means we’re looking at 40 hours in shipping bags....

What is “emergency” procedure if these fish arrive with some life left in them? Do I temp acclimate but skip the drip acclimation, assuming they will need oxygen ASAP?

Or should I be fully expecting them DOA?

I had fish that were delayed from Live Aquaria. The fish were in bags right about 72 hours. 1-purple tang and 1-Koran angel. Both were alive when they arrived and I was instructed to double the amount of time floating/temp acclimating (30 minutes). I think Live Aquaria uses prime or similar product in the shipping bags to prevent the ammonia from being toxic. Both fish acclimated well and recovered. The tang did real well for several weeks but didn't make it but I still have the Koran.

You might check if the shipper uses a detoxifier and if they don't then get some prime to dose as soon as you open the bag. Ammonia is going to be your biggest concern.

 

[Captain Quint]

If I may add.

Remove the top of the styrofoam box slowly not to fully expose the fish to full light which could induce sensory overload and added stress. Once after a slow intro to the light and 'float time' use a baster of sorts, syringe whatever and use the water in the bag removing it only to lightly squirt back in so it adds a bit of oxygen back in the bag. Or just gently stir the water a tad with your finger to agitate the water.

Hopefully, a detoxifier/stress guard product was used for shipping. It might not hurt to turn the light off over the QT or DT if that is what you are putting the fish in and do a very slow drip after temp has adjusted in the bag to that of the tank.

Hope this made sense and keeping my fingers crossed for Y'all.

 

[Sonja P]

I had fish that were delayed from Live Aquaria. The fish were in bags right about 36 hours. 1-purple tang and 1-Koran angel. Both were alive when they arrived and I was instructed to double the amount of time floating/temp acclimating (30 minutes). I think Live Aquaria uses prime or similar product in the shipping bags to prevent the ammonia from being toxic. Both fish acclimated well and recovered. The tang did real well for several weeks but didn't make it but I still have the Koran.

You might check if the shipper uses a detoxifier and if they don't then get some prime to dose as soon as you open the bag. Ammonia is going to be your biggest concern.

Thank you!! I reached out to the shipper and have not heard back but do happen to have Prime in the arsenal! I’ll follow your advice and hope for the best!

 

[FMF0331]

I had a delay in my frag order yesterday. FedEx was suppose to deliver at 10:30 am , didn't receive package until 3:30 pm .
everything survived ... Good luck - hope everything goes well for you

 

[Sonja P]

If I may add.

Remove the top of the styrofoam box slowly not to fully expose the fish to full light which could induce sensory overload and added stress. Once after a slow intro to the light and 'float time' use a baster of sorts, syringe whatever and use the water in the bag removing it only to lightly squirt back in so it adds a bit of oxygen back in the bag. Or just gently stir the water a tad with your finger to agitate the water.

Hopefully, a detoxifier/stress guard product was used for shipping. It might not hurt to turn the light off over the QT or DT if that is what you are putting the fish in and do a very slow drip after temp has adjusted in the bag to that of the tank.

Hope this made sense and keeping my fingers crossed for Y'all.

Good advice- thank you!! Is it known if there’s a max time that livestock would be able to survive in their shipping bags? I’m feeling like a irresponsible reefer, placing an order this week. It didn’t even occur to me about the possible delays given the timing!

 

[JasonK84]

Thank you!! I reached out to the shipper and have not heard back but do happen to have Prime in the arsenal! I’ll follow your advice and hope for the best!

While sealed in the bag the PH levels lower as the O2 is depleted. At low PH ammonia is a less toxic form. When the bag is opened the PH rapidly rises due to increased O2 turning the ammonia built up in the bag to a more toxic form that burns the fishes gills. This is where the prime helps! Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[JasonK84]

Good advice- thank you!! Is it known if there’s a max time that livestock would be able to survive in their shipping bags? I’m feeling like a irresponsible reefer, placing an order this week. It didn’t even occur to me about the possible delays given the timing!

Don't feel bad. My mishap was also a holiday week. This last 4th of July. Not sure about your distributor but Live Aquaria stated they bag the fish to survive up to 3 days.

I need to correct what I posted before on my fish being in bags 36 hours. It was longer. Shipped 5pm on July 2 and was at my door around 5pm on the 5th. Right at the max of the 72 hours they bag for. I don't know why I said 36 hours.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Just to calm your nerves, I have ordered fish from Aquabid that were shipped Priority Mail from Florida to Wyoming on 3 occasions. They were packed similar to what LiveAquaria does, but went out on a Monday and arrived on a Thursday. One of those shipments contained 12+ juvenile fish in the same bag. I temp acclimated and then added a drop of Prime as soon as I opened the bags. No losses.

 

[Sonja P]

Don't feel bad. My mishap was also a holiday week. This last 4th of July. Not sure about your distributor but Live Aquaria stated they bag the fish to survive up to 3 days.

I need to correct what I posted before on my fish being in bags 36 hours. It was longer. Shipped 5pm on July 2 and was at my door around 5pm on the 5th. Right at the max of the 72 hours they bag for. I don't know why I said 36 hours.

This makes me feel better! I ordered from a diver himself and not a large outfitter like LA, but I’m hoping he takes all the standard precautionary measures in case of delays.

 

[Sonja P]

Just to calm your nerves, I have ordered fish from Aquabid that were shipped Priority Mail from Florida to Wyoming on 3 occasions. They were packed similar to what LiveAquaria does, but went out on a Monday and arrived on a Thursday. One of those shipments contained 12+ juvenile fish in the same bag. I temp acclimated and then added a drop of Prime as soon as I opened the bags. No losses.

This does help- thank you!! I’m about to uncork a bottle of wine and it’s only noon here in MN! : )

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

I hope he gave you a guarantee. At least you can get your money back.

 

[Sonja P]

I hope he gave you a guarantee. At least you can get your money back.

He did! I’m more worried that they’re sitting in a bag suffocating...not cool.

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

Agree

 

[RamsReef]

Best procedure is this.

Ask what salinity they keep their fish at, call them.

Have that ready in a bowl / bucket.

Have that water at whatever you keep your tank at.

When you get the fish put the bag in sump let it warm up, do not open bag.

Once warmed up, 10-15 min.
Open bag put in .5 ml of prime and take a water sample, seal bag imediatly do not leave open.

Measure salinitybof sample to ensure it is what they said and yours is at.

Adjust your salinity in bucket if need to.

Once adjusted take fish out of the bag (leave shipper water behind) and put directly into your bucket.

From there you can acclimate to your tank salinity by drip or what ever.

You can also check out the fish treatment for dipping guides, the blue stuff helps with ammonia burns IF i remember correctly.

Thats how you do it.

 

[Pinback]

following along. hoping for the best

 

[Hot2na]

Happens alot this time of yr..holidays jam up the process...as I sit here I'm waiting on a 2 day live aquaria order that was supposed to be here yesterday... UPS SUCKS....but wait...I'm sure you already knew that ...lol !

 

[Sonja P]

Right?! I’m kicking myself for even being in this situation...could’ve done it next week!

By the recent tracking update, it looks like it sat in Phile for a day and a half....ugh.

 

[Sonja P]

Happens alot this time of yr..holidays jam up the process...as I sit here I'm waiting on a 2 day live aquaria order that was supposed to be here yesterday... UPS SUCKS....but wait...I'm sure you already knew that ...lol !

Totally sucks! I’ve been off work two days now (one impromptu based on shipping delay) only to probably receive it tomrw when I’m back at work. My 11 year old son will be stuck with the emergency bc my husband has no clue or care about the hobby. LOL Hope yours make it as well!!

 

[JasonK84]

Did they arrive this evening?