Blue Haddoni

[addictedreefer]

Yeah, but remember that we are not privy to the number that may arrive at the LFS is such poor shape that they never get put out on display.

I see your point, but people have been completely striking out from LA lately, even with hardier species like haddoni. Assuming you are correct that LFSs also have many casualties, those LFSs and the customers buying from them are certainly batting higher than .000.

 

[D-Nak]

Online retailers -- none of them -- not even LA or iBlueWater or Blue Zoo have a lock on a successful acclimation and shipping protocol, success being a higher success rate than failure. I have verification that all three listed are using antibiotics for treatment, yet purchases from all three end up in the death of the nem. On the flipside there are success stories. My point is that paying a premium from one of the places makes no difference in the outcome -- the chances of survival are no better than any other retailer or LFS.

There are too many variables to consider, from the length of time the antibiotic was used, to the overall health of the individual anemone. Frankly, some seem to just be stronger than others.

My track record on gigs from online stores is 0/6. Though I received credit for my last purchase, the online retailer subsequently changed their guarantee on nems and not longer offer any warranty. With LFS it's 1/4. And from other reefers I'm 1/2. Those numbers are a bit skewed though because buy every gig I can get my hands on. Unless they are falling apart or the price is outrageous, I usually buy them. I used to think I could save them, but I now know that I can't.

 

[addictedreefer]

Within the past year, I have gone 6 for 6 with gigs (2), mags (3) and haddonis (1) purchased from various LFSs/aquarists (all but 1 gig were purchased from an LFS) without treatment. One of the gigs had just been shipped to the LFS a day prior to my purchase and did fine without treatment. Although I don't have any online purchases to compare, this would suggest a much higher success rate for LFS/aquarist sourced anemones.

 

[asudavew]

I have 2 haddonis. One from LFS 200 miles away and one from friend who bought from a LFS in town.
So far no problems with either one, and neither have been treated.

I have 1 gig and 1 magnifica from LA. The gig is looking pretty good. But I still give it a 50-50 shot.
It has been treated.

The maginifica was looking really good. It was getting sticky, began to have a reaction when touched, but it wasn't eating. As soon as I stopped treatment it quickly declined.
I'm hoping it improves. I might begin treating again today.

I might see if my LFS can order gigs... usually they just call them carpets...no telling what they will receive.

 

[asudavew]

Received this gig 5 weeks ago from LA not DD.

It still deflates occasionally.






upload pics

 

[asudavew]

Closure and update about Diver's Den

Closure and update about Diver's Den

I wrote another email to LA letting them know how I treated the anemone and that it had died. I let them know that they never responded to my first email and also stated that other anemones (that I am aware of) from DD haven't been doing well as a collective group.

They are forwarding my latest email to their Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility for additional assistance and review.It should be interesting to hear their thoughts on the treatment of nems at their facility.

I will say that I am not happy with the overall experience: condition of anemone received was fair at best, phone call support was ok, and their electronic support was poor, (hey never responded to my first email).

They did, which I didn't ask for or expect, credit my account for the cost of the anemone. So they did exceed my expectations with that. They really didn't have to do that.
But I really, as most of us do, just wanted the specimen that I ordered to have a chance to survive. I'm not sure treating them before shipping is the best option. But who really knows.

I do order fish from LA and DD. The fish I have received from LA are usually very nice specimens and the fish from DD are top notch. I'm not trying to beat up DD just sharing my experience as well as I can through this format.

Thanks for all the help everyone.
I do appreciate it.


Dave.

 

[D-Nak]

I'm impressed that they provided a credit. At this point, I think all other retailers only provide a DOA guarantee on sensitive anemones like gigs, mags, and sometimes haddoni.

The reality is that when it comes to anemones -- particularly mags and gigs -- that it's buyer beware. We know that they are terrible shippers. We know that they are hard to acclimate. Yet, when the come up for sale, we always buy them!

Blue and red haddoni, though generally not as difficult, can probably be put in this same category. I've seen more red haddoni die than another other color. And blue ones are a close second.

I agree that in general LA DD is a really good source for livestock, but like all other retailers, that are not immune to the low survival rate of certain anemones.

Unfortunately, I really don't think there is an answer to what we should do in response to retailers using antibiotics. We really don't know if the cause of their demise once in our possession is a result of the antibiotics used prior. For that reason alone, we can't tell retailers to stop using antibiotics. As far as they're concerned, if they treat with antibiotics and the anemones respond to it while in their care, they think that they are helping. The reality may very well be that they are just prolonging the death of the nem. We can't tell them to adjust their protocols either, because as we've seen, even those that undergo the recommended 5-7 days of treatment still die, and some that don't undergo any treatment are acclimated without issue and thrive. Sad to say that we've got a long way to go before we solve this problem.

 

[asudavew]

Sad to say that we've got a long way to go before we solve this problem.

That's for sure. Well said D