I've gotten 11 fish shipped from Mike. He has been quick to deal with DOAs and work with me on achieving success with more difficult fish (e.g., leopard wrasses). I would buy from him again, understanding that shipping fish across country is risky. Results below:
1. Tailspot blenny - DOA - body shape normal, i.e., not skinny or unhealthy looking, but clearly died in transit and was decomposing; replaced and reached a deal on shipping
2. Exquisite firefish - Alive - body shape normal, still alive and thriving
3. Tailspot blenny - Alive - body shape normal, stressed and showing stress spots, which is normal; still alive and eating my gorgonian polyps
4. High Fin Red Banded goby - Alive - body shape normal, appeared normal and healthy for ~ 1day, then went under the big rocks and never seen again
--> Also got fire shrimp, fighting conch and trochus snails in that order. Fire shrimp was alive and well until dying during a tank move and mistake on my part; fighting conch is still vacuuming
5. Yasha shrimp goby - Alive, but appeared very stressed, somewhat thin - paired with my candy cane pistol shrimp and is still alive and thriving
6. Court Jester Goby - Alive on arrival, but died after one day; two were sent in the same bag and one clearly died early in transit and fouled the bag water; had to do an expedited acclimation, and death appeared to be due to ammonia; asked for credit because I wanted a yellow wrasse
7. Leopard Wrasse Blue Star - Alive on arrival, but clearly injured; Mouth was bent sideways; body appeared healthy; did not survive acclimation; undoubtedly fatal injury from trying to dive in the bag; discussed with Mike and accorded to try shipment again with two different methods: 1) shipping with sand in the bag and 2) shipping with blacked out bags to reduce stress
8. Leopard Wrasse Blue Star (shipped in blacked out bag) - DOA - body shape normal
9. Leopard Wrasse Blue Star (shipped in bag with sand) - Alive - Body shape normal - behavior erratic - moved straight to a "landing pad" tank with rocks and sand, once buried in sand, eventually came out and began eating after a few days. Still alive and thriving
10. Yellow wrasse (H. chrysus) (shipped in blacked out bag) - Alive - body shape normal - rehomed
11. Yellow wrasse (H. chrysus) (shipped in bag with sand) - Alive - body shape normal - still alive and thriving
My assessment of Dr. Reef's operation is that the fish are healthy when shipped. Some errors in shipment could avoid fish losses, e.g., putting two fish in one bag (no idea if accident or on purpose). Speaking with Mike ahead of time about sensitive fish like sand sleeping wrasses would be beneficial in order to organize shipment in bags with sand.
As a side-note, there are reports of Dr. Reef's operation sending the wrong fish, particularly wrasses, either by accident or incorrectly IDing the wrasse. For some such as fairies, may be a good idea to contact Dr. Reef ahead of time to ensure that the right wrasse is sent--they often look very similar when female or beginning transition to males.
