Livestock Shipping How-To w/ Pics!

[trilinearmipmap]

OK a couple of shipping questions.

1. How long can a coral frag last shipped with the above instructions? I have always assumed 24 hours, I have never exceeded 8 to 12 hours myself, it it possible that corals could last 2 to 3 days in shipping as long as they don't get too cold?

2. Has anyone tried dry shipping of corals or coral frags? This is for people like me who want to bring back corals on a plane flight, and they won't allow liquids past security. I was thinking of dry (damp) shipping the corals wrapped in a wet towel or newspaper.

[BlueAbyss]

Hey trilinear...

I read an article a while back that stated they shipped Acropora frags from a collection site in the Caribbean (or Gulf of Mexico, can't remember exactly) and had a 100% survival rate when packed damp (wrapped in damp newspaper and then bagged) after 48 hours (I believe). I'll try and track down the article, but it seems completely plausible as many corals spend hours exposed to the sun and wind at low tide and so should be fine as long as they don't dry out or get cold.

EDIT: Found the article, my mind twisted it a little http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/eb/index.php

[Myka]

Hey thanks for posting up all that info whatcaneyedo!!

hillegom, in the future if you want to find this article click on "Written by Myka" in my signature, and you will be able to see all the different articles I have written.

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by Myka

Hey thanks for posting up all that info whatcaneyedo!!

hillegom, in the future if you want to find this article click on "My tanks" in my signature, and you will be able to see all the different articles I have written.

You're welcome. I tried shipping for the first time these last two weeks and was caught off guard in a few cases. So I thought I'd share what I learned so that others could avoid the hassle I went through.

[Myka]

Ya, once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. I had the luxury of learning when I worked in a large retail store, so that helped me figure it all out.

[hillegom]

Thanks Myka

[Fishy!]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

Hey trilinear...

I read an article a while back that stated they shipped Acropora frags from a collection site in the Caribbean (or Gulf of Mexico, can't remember exactly) and had a 100% survival rate when packed damp (wrapped in damp newspaper and then bagged) after 48 hours (I believe). I'll try and track down the article, but it seems completely plausible as many corals spend hours exposed to the sun and wind at low tide and so should be fine as long as they don't dry out or get cold.

EDIT: Found the article, my mind twisted it a little http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/eb/index.php

Good read!!!^^^

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

OK a couple of shipping questions.

1. How long can a coral frag last shipped with the above instructions? I have always assumed 24 hours, I have never exceeded 8 to 12 hours myself, it it possible that corals could last 2 to 3 days in shipping as long as they don't get too cold?

... no one has answered this question yet? In Calfo's Book of Coral Propagation he says that the average coral can survive shipping for up to 36 hours if properly packaged. Although I'm sure most of us would prefer it if they made it to their destination in half that amount of time.

[Myka]

I remember seeing that question, I thought it had been answered.

When I packaged corals "professionally" we had the odd package that would "get lost" in shipping. We had one particular Greyhound package that got lost in the winter months (in BC) for 5 days, and both fish and coral survived. Not to say that is typical, but I always pack to assume the package will get lost. When shipped from overseas, packages are often in transit for 18-48 hours, sometimes quite a bit longer, and that's not including however long they sat in the package before they got their plane papers with the date and time on them. They ship the same way we do, except usually with less water and smaller bags.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Myka

I remember seeing that question, I thought it had been answered.

When I packaged corals "professionally" we had the odd package that would "get lost" in shipping. We had one particular Greyhound package that got lost in the winter months (in BC) for 5 days, and both fish and coral survived. Not to say that is typical, but I always pack to assume the package will get lost. When shipped from overseas, packages are often in transit for 18-48 hours, sometimes quite a bit longer, and that's not including however long they sat in the package before they got their plane papers with the date and time on them. They ship the same way we do, except usually with less water and smaller bags.

Happy to see your advocating good shipping practices Myka, I have read far to many horror stories about people just being plain lazy resulting in problems. If you take the time and effort not only do you prevent head aches in the future but you ensure the health and safety of the livestock (And in the end that's what really counts).

As a tip placing a small amount of activated Carbon in the bottom of your bag will greatly help for shipping that takes more than 24 hours (Such as shipping from the states).