SPS - Tissue Loss After Shipping?

[CUSE1315]

I’d like to ask some questions to the more experienced SPS keepers in regards to getting SPS shipped.

Today I received a rather large order of 44 SPS. These Corals were in 2 boxes, 22 frags in each. The boxes were packed full with two heat packs in each box. One frag was DOA (no big deal there).

I temp acclimated for 20 mins and began to unpack (I did not dip). I unpacked for about an hour. And got them into my tank.

After about a half hour I came back to the tank to inspect my Corals.

I started to notice 6 of the Frags having skin peeling away. One went almost white within two hours.

My only thought upon receiving my package was that the coolers were very full and I noticed some of the Frags sitting right beneath the heat pack seemed hot.

Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do to possibly recover some of these frags that still seem not too far along in tissue loss?

I have attached some photos with the lights off to better show the tissue loss.

 

[sbash]

I would guess lack of oxygen while shipping... How long were they in transit and were they packed with extra air (like a fish) in the bag?

If the flesh was peeling away that quickly, it implies it (the flesh) died in transit and the flow is causing it to move off the skeleton.

Also, did you dip the corals? I've never dipped shipped corals, because the shippers in my area won't guarantee dipped corals. I assume there is a reason for that...

 

[CUSE1315]

They were packaged in a bag with no oxygen. This is the way my last Corals were sent from this seller (and I had no issues of any 14 frags I purchased).

They were shipped around 5:00 PM EST and arrived to me at 10:15 AM the following morning.

I did NOT dip them as I also feel this adds stress to them.

 

[sbash]

They were packaged in a bag with no oxygen. This is the way my last Corals were sent from this seller (and I had no issues of any 14 frags I purchased).

They were shipped around 5:00 PM EST and arrived to me at 10:15 AM the following morning.

I did NOT dip them as I also feel this adds stress to them.

I had a similar issue with corals shipped at 10am, and home/opened by 7pm. It was a $1000 order, and fortunately, the seller honoured the mistake. It was dropped off at the airport at 10, to be picked up (by me) at noon, so only a couple hours in the package, but weather delayed the flight, which delayed everything by several hours.... Anyway...

Definitely take it up with the seller; I feel for you loss and wish you luck!

 

[CUSE1315]

Yes, I have attempted to contact the seller today and I am waiting to hear back (hopefully tomorrow?).

This order was about what yours cost and it’s frustrating to have spent so much and be having issues (I understand stuff happens).

I’m just trying to figure out if I should be fragging these where I see dead tissue?

Is it best to leave them? Any thoughts?

 

[CUSE1315]

Anybody else with any input??

 

[MarinaP]

My guess is temperature swing. What was the temp at dropoff and destination?

 

[CUSE1315]

I’m also guessing it was a temperature swing although the seller will not admit to any wrong doing.

It was shipped from Texas (I’d have to check the temperature). And was sent to NY where it was high 30 to low 40s.

It was sent with double heat packs and the packages did feel a bit hot (especially the ones nearly touching the heat pack).

 

[Scorpius]

Shipping corals this time of year becomes more dangerous. With highs way above freezing and near freezing temps at night it becomes a nightmare for vendors to decide whether to include a heat pack, a cold pack, or nothing at all.

I only feel 100% buying coral online when it's moderate outside day and night.