Live Aquaria delayed delivery

kaxt · 01/16/2018, 08:33 AM

My order of fish shipped out yesterday and was supposed to be delivered today, but I just got an email saying the delivery is delayed due to severe weather. Has anyone ever had their fish shipment delayed and had the fish still alive when they finally arrived. I'm not going to be able to think of anything other than those poor fish just sitting in a box waiting for death today.

nereefpat · 01/16/2018, 08:43 AM

I went through this about a month ago with live aquaria. Fish had to spend an extra night in Louisville, I think.

I ordered:
2 orchid dottybacks
1 melanurus wrasse
1 damsel

The damsel and one dottyback were DOA. The other dottyback looked perfectly fine, and the wrasse looked a little rough. Both fish are now very healthy and in my display. Live aquaria put the money for the DOAs back on my debit card.

Keep in mind to NOT drip acclimate. The ammonia burn would be severe. Float for temp acclimation and match tank temp to their salinity. Then get them out of the bags quickly.

Good luck.

ReefkeeperZ · 01/16/2018, 08:54 AM

unfortunately shipping delays happen all the time, depending one what you are receiving can changes the chances of survival, as we all know some fish are definitely hardier than others. as well as how cold it is in the areas the fish are being held. I live in maine and it's not uncommon for delays or extreme cold I tend to watch the weather nation wide to see what's happening or predicted before ordering.

best bet is to obviously turn off all lights (tank and room to make is as dark as possible) float for temperature, (contact live aquaria for the shipping specific gravity and have your QT prepped at the same level) so once temperature is reached you can open the bags and remove from the bag water immediately.

also if your tanks salinity is slightly lower than shipping water is safer than slightly higher, it's harder for a fish to adjust osmoregulation upwards than downwards.

Ritten · 01/16/2018, 09:37 AM

I had a delayed shipment years ago and the fish were fine. Let us know how it goes. Its always so exciting to have livestock coming, and now your dreading opening the box afraid of what you will find. That sucks. Hope it goes well for you!

Hydrus · 01/16/2018, 10:09 AM

Liveaquaria has always been very good to me and replaced any DoA's. Its horrible for the fish for sure but if they do die you should have no problem getting reimbursed.

ca1ore · 01/16/2018, 10:11 AM

I have had fish deliveries delayed by a day on a few occasions. Though the results were not positive on one of those occasions, in all other cases the fish arrive safe and sound.

cincyjim · 01/16/2018, 10:41 AM

I had a Barnacle Blenny get stuck in the Charlottesville UPS warehouse over a weekend and I was so surprised he was alive that Monday when they delivered him.

undbulsu · 01/16/2018, 11:53 AM

Any ideas on special treatment once they arrive?

mako61 · 01/16/2018, 11:54 AM

I had 3 anthias delayed 24 hours they all lived. I agree with nereefpat . I did NOT do the drip method. I CAREFULLY matched temp and salinity BEFORE opening bag and then quickly moved fish into new water once open. ( using none of the shipment water )

I did alot of reading in the 24 hours I waited and decided on the match parms exactly and quick move method. I think this esp important on delayed shipments.

kaxt · 01/16/2018, 12:31 PM

The worst part is that I paid for Saturday delivery and they didn't ship then due to bad weather near them. When they weren't able to ship on Friday I had asked them to cancel the order and was surprised last night when I got the shipping confirmation. We are supposed to get snow tonight and tomorrow so I'm really hoping it isn't delayed another day.

I have a tomini tang, a mccoskers wrasse, a goby, and a skunk cleaner shrimp coming. I plan on just temp acclimating for any fish that survive, but what about the shrimp? I know inverts are very sensitive to salinity changes. Does anyone know what the specify gravity of the water will be in the shipping bags? If I can find out that information I will definitely have a tank waiting for them that matches.

mako61 · 01/16/2018, 01:02 PM

http://www.liveaquaria.com/article/282/?aid=282

They have SG there.

Mine was 1.025. I took a sample of water from the bag using a syringe. I only needed a few drops for my refractometer.

hkgar · 01/16/2018, 02:30 PM

Make sure you use this method of acclimation. DO NOT do drip as ammonia will be quite high.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1959576

2_zoa · 01/16/2018, 07:43 PM

Unfortunately I have recently been on the delayed delivery list. My first ever liveaquaria order was close to Christmas. I wasn’t even thinking about it being the holidays. I just wanted fish......
Both packages got hit with a cold front and had to deal with colder temps then liveaquaria prepared for.
Two packages for the order and both got delayed with one of them shipping a day behind the other from the beginning. The fish were NOT happy but the clowns and a powder brown tang made it through. The tang was upside down and very non responsive. Though, it was breathing. So it got acclimated and I’m very happy I didn’t give up on it.
They went through TTM now and are in QT putting on weight very nicely.

Now, the anemone I ordered at the same time..........no go. That bag smelled and the nem was inside out. Very DOA.

elFloyd · 01/16/2018, 08:22 PM

I have a box of inverts stuck in Louisville right now. It’s a replacement for delayed DOA just before Christmas.

kaxt · 01/17/2018, 10:26 AM

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. The fish are supposed to arrive within the next 30 minutes.

My plan is to make a small pinhole in each bag just so I can check salinity. Then float the bags to match temp. While they are floating I'll match the salinity in the QT tank to the bags. I'll just put the fish right in the tank as soon as I open the bags. Hopefully the bags all have the same salinity, the Live Aquaria website linked above gave a pretty wide range of what it could be. If not, I guess I'll aim for the salinity in the shrimp bag.

I'll keep everyone posted.

solitude127 · 01/17/2018, 10:59 AM

Did the fish ship out of california? If so,probably out a quality marine and my last shipment from them, my salinity was 1.021. Good luck.

jayball · 01/17/2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaxt

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. The fish are supposed to arrive within the next 30 minutes.

My plan is to make a small pinhole in each bag just so I can check salinity. Then float the bags to match temp. While they are floating I'll match the salinity in the QT tank to the bags. I'll just put the fish right in the tank as soon as I open the bags. Hopefully the bags all have the same salinity, the Live Aquaria website linked above gave a pretty wide range of what it could be. If not, I guess I'll aim for the salinity in the shrimp bag.

I'll keep everyone posted.

put tape over the pinhole after you take the sample, it only takes a little air to start moving the PH (causing the ammonia conversion).

kaxt · 01/17/2018, 01:24 PM

Everything is alive!!! The goby doesn't look so good, but it's still alive. Hopefully with clean, warm water it can recover.

The order did ship out of California. The fish were in 1.023 water and the shrimp was in 1.025. I matched the qt tank for the fish and I matched a small container for the shrimp. I put the shrimp in the clean matched water and I'm now drip acclimating to match my display. I don't plan to quarantine the shrimp.

solitude127 · 01/17/2018, 01:52 PM

Great to hear. Hopefully they'll keep thriving.

hkgar · 01/17/2018, 01:59 PM

I believe you can safely put the shrimp in 1.023, It is easier going down.

HBtank · 01/17/2018, 02:06 PM

Good news!

Ritten · 01/17/2018, 02:47 PM

that's great!

twistedfinn967 · 01/18/2018, 07:57 AM

I just had an order ship Monday for delivery Tuesday. Saw the dreaded "delayed due to weather". My fish were all sitting in Louisville, KY - I'm in northeast Ohio. They were delivered at 0945 Wednesday, cold as ice. LA was very apologetic and refunded me no problem. I had no idea the weather was that bad.
I'm gonna try again next week when I have a couple days off again.

Arcar · 01/18/2018, 08:02 AM

If you add a fish to DT how can you match the salinity? or is that only in QT tanks?

twistedfinn967 · 01/18/2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcar

If you add a fish to DT how can you match the salinity? or is that only in QT tanks?

You have to acclimate. There are several methods, most common being the "drip method".
I use a device called "The AccliMate by Reef Gently.

01/16/2018, 08:33 AM	#1
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	Live Aquaria delayed delivery My order of fish shipped out yesterday and was supposed to be delivered today, but I just got an email saying the delivery is delayed due to severe weather. Has anyone ever had their fish shipment delayed and had the fish still alive when they finally arrived. I'm not going to be able to think of anything other than those poor fish just sitting in a box waiting for death today.

01/16/2018, 08:43 AM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I went through this about a month ago with live aquaria. Fish had to spend an extra night in Louisville, I think. I ordered: 2 orchid dottybacks 1 melanurus wrasse 1 damsel The damsel and one dottyback were DOA. The other dottyback looked perfectly fine, and the wrasse looked a little rough. Both fish are now very healthy and in my display. Live aquaria put the money for the DOAs back on my debit card. Keep in mind to NOT drip acclimate. The ammonia burn would be severe. Float for temp acclimation and match tank temp to their salinity. Then get them out of the bags quickly. Good luck. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/16/2018, 08:54 AM	#3
ReefkeeperZ Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 392	unfortunately shipping delays happen all the time, depending one what you are receiving can changes the chances of survival, as we all know some fish are definitely hardier than others. as well as how cold it is in the areas the fish are being held. I live in maine and it's not uncommon for delays or extreme cold I tend to watch the weather nation wide to see what's happening or predicted before ordering. best bet is to obviously turn off all lights (tank and room to make is as dark as possible) float for temperature, (contact live aquaria for the shipping specific gravity and have your QT prepped at the same level) so once temperature is reached you can open the bags and remove from the bag water immediately. also if your tanks salinity is slightly lower than shipping water is safer than slightly higher, it's harder for a fish to adjust osmoregulation upwards than downwards. __________________ insert witty catchphrase here

01/16/2018, 10:11 AM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I have had fish deliveries delayed by a day on a few occasions. Though the results were not positive on one of those occasions, in all other cases the fish arrive safe and sound. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/16/2018, 10:41 AM	#7
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I had a Barnacle Blenny get stuck in the Charlottesville UPS warehouse over a weekend and I was so surprised he was alive that Monday when they delivered him. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

01/16/2018, 09:37 AM	#4
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	I had a delayed shipment years ago and the fish were fine. Let us know how it goes. Its always so exciting to have livestock coming, and now your dreading opening the box afraid of what you will find. That sucks. Hope it goes well for you!

01/16/2018, 10:09 AM	#5
Hydrus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 98	Liveaquaria has always been very good to me and replaced any DoA's. Its horrible for the fish for sure but if they do die you should have no problem getting reimbursed.

01/16/2018, 11:53 AM	#8
undbulsu Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 97	I’ve got 3 expensive corals delayed overnight Any ideas on special treatment once they arrive? __________________ Red Sea Reefer 450, Geisemann Aurora, Vertex 150 Skimmer. Just getting started. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 450, Geisemann aurora, Vertex 150

01/16/2018, 11:54 AM	#9
mako61 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 359	I had 3 anthias delayed 24 hours they all lived. I agree with nereefpat . I did NOT do the drip method. I CAREFULLY matched temp and salinity BEFORE opening bag and then quickly moved fish into new water once open. ( using none of the shipment water ) I did alot of reading in the 24 hours I waited and decided on the match parms exactly and quick move method. I think this esp important on delayed shipments. __________________ Thanks, Mako Current Tank Info: Returning Reefer - Red Sea 525XL, Mitras LX7s, Apex, check homepage for vids of tank

01/16/2018, 12:31 PM	#10
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	The worst part is that I paid for Saturday delivery and they didn't ship then due to bad weather near them. When they weren't able to ship on Friday I had asked them to cancel the order and was surprised last night when I got the shipping confirmation. We are supposed to get snow tonight and tomorrow so I'm really hoping it isn't delayed another day. I have a tomini tang, a mccoskers wrasse, a goby, and a skunk cleaner shrimp coming. I plan on just temp acclimating for any fish that survive, but what about the shrimp? I know inverts are very sensitive to salinity changes. Does anyone know what the specify gravity of the water will be in the shipping bags? If I can find out that information I will definitely have a tank waiting for them that matches.

01/16/2018, 01:02 PM	#11
mako61 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 359	http://www.liveaquaria.com/article/282/?aid=282 They have SG there. Mine was 1.025. I took a sample of water from the bag using a syringe. I only needed a few drops for my refractometer. __________________ Thanks, Mako Current Tank Info: Returning Reefer - Red Sea 525XL, Mitras LX7s, Apex, check homepage for vids of tank

01/16/2018, 02:30 PM	#12
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Make sure you use this method of acclimation. DO NOT do drip as ammonia will be quite high. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1959576 __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

01/16/2018, 07:43 PM	#13
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Unfortunately I have recently been on the delayed delivery list. My first ever liveaquaria order was close to Christmas. I wasn’t even thinking about it being the holidays. I just wanted fish...... Both packages got hit with a cold front and had to deal with colder temps then liveaquaria prepared for. Two packages for the order and both got delayed with one of them shipping a day behind the other from the beginning. The fish were NOT happy but the clowns and a powder brown tang made it through. The tang was upside down and very non responsive. Though, it was breathing. So it got acclimated and I’m very happy I didn’t give up on it. They went through TTM now and are in QT putting on weight very nicely. Now, the anemone I ordered at the same time..........no go. That bag smelled and the nem was inside out. Very DOA.

01/16/2018, 08:22 PM	#14
elFloyd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 421	I have a box of inverts stuck in Louisville right now. It’s a replacement for delayed DOA just before Christmas.

01/17/2018, 10:26 AM	#15
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	Thanks for all the advice, everyone. The fish are supposed to arrive within the next 30 minutes. My plan is to make a small pinhole in each bag just so I can check salinity. Then float the bags to match temp. While they are floating I'll match the salinity in the QT tank to the bags. I'll just put the fish right in the tank as soon as I open the bags. Hopefully the bags all have the same salinity, the Live Aquaria website linked above gave a pretty wide range of what it could be. If not, I guess I'll aim for the salinity in the shrimp bag. I'll keep everyone posted.

01/17/2018, 10:59 AM	#16
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Did the fish ship out of california? If so,probably out a quality marine and my last shipment from them, my salinity was 1.021. Good luck. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

01/17/2018, 01:24 PM	#18
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	Everything is alive!!! The goby doesn't look so good, but it's still alive. Hopefully with clean, warm water it can recover. The order did ship out of California. The fish were in 1.023 water and the shrimp was in 1.025. I matched the qt tank for the fish and I matched a small container for the shrimp. I put the shrimp in the clean matched water and I'm now drip acclimating to match my display. I don't plan to quarantine the shrimp.

01/17/2018, 01:52 PM	#19
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Great to hear. Hopefully they'll keep thriving. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

01/17/2018, 01:59 PM	#20
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I believe you can safely put the shrimp in 1.023, It is easier going down. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

01/17/2018, 02:06 PM	#21
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Good news! __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

01/17/2018, 02:47 PM	#22
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	that's great!

01/18/2018, 07:57 AM	#23
twistedfinn967 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 279	I just had an order ship Monday for delivery Tuesday. Saw the dreaded "delayed due to weather". My fish were all sitting in Louisville, KY - I'm in northeast Ohio. They were delivered at 0945 Wednesday, cold as ice. LA was very apologetic and refunded me no problem. I had no idea the weather was that bad. I'm gonna try again next week when I have a couple days off again.

01/18/2018, 08:02 AM	#24
Arcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Michigan Posts: 122	If you add a fish to DT how can you match the salinity? or is that only in QT tanks? __________________ Setting up a new 120 gallon tank Current Tank Info: New 120 Gallon