Im excited but what do you think...

[Swayze27]

I will be getting an established magnifica/ ritteri from a fellow reefer that lives out of state. The individual has had the specimen for about 1 year but is selling his tank and equipment to upgrade. I managed to get him to sell me the mag and he will be overnighting it to me next week. I do have QT and Cipro on hand but do you guys feel that since the anemone is healthy, eats weekly/biweekly and is already established itself from the wild that my chances of treatment will be lessened or not necessary?

 

[taylor t]

That is all up to you. Too many variables. It depends on the actual health of the anemone. Having it for any length of time means nothing, to me. Your guy sounds like since he's upgrading, he knows what he's doing and odds are it was in good condition to start with so odds are in your favor.

If this mag you get was in very good health and condition, then I would hold off and see how it acclimates. I shipped a couple gigs overnight to california a month ago, the new owner just added them right to his display and they're doing great. It all depends who you got it from (original health condition), how they handled the travel(shipping), and your own abilities (acclimate, or give it the required care quickly; or treat).

Post pics and ask questions, I'm sure the mag lovers will all chime in. If it was me, it's all dependent on the arrival condition and how it reacts the first day. Best of luck to you.

 

[Swayze27]

Thanks for the reply. Obviously I will make a judgement call on its condition upon arrival but your experience shipping those gigs is what I was looking for. Seems that these things are pretty hardy once they make it through the initial trip from the ocean and acclimate into a healthy specimen. Obviously shipping it can cause issues but my thought process is that I should have a much greater chance of success going this route.

 

[taylor t]

Obviously shipping it can cause issues but my thought process is that I should have a much greater chance of success going this route.

I agree with this. Even if it hits a "speed bump" and needs more specialized care initially, it should color and recover much easier and quicker than a LFS fresh ocean nem. Shipping was my biggest concern. Trying to keep the shipping and box time to a minimum was the most stressful to me. For me,

Started boxing nem at around 6ish pm.
drop off at fed ex by 7ish pm
fed ex closed by 8pm
delivery by 10:30am the next day (and they almost take it to the minute!)

So they were in transit for about 17-18 hours with acclimation I think. If I remember correct, 1 was looking good (clear water)when opened, one was so so(cloudy). Even from the same tank, in captivity close to the same time, you never know how they will ship as they are all individual.

My Illinois outside temp was 40-70 (night/day) and delivery location I think CA was in the 70 degrees and used (2)18 hour heat packs. I think they arrived temp wise was mid to high 70's water.

 

[Swayze27]

This one will be coming from New Jersey to Alabama this coming week. I have also stressed to the shipper to go ahead and stop feeding and to keep time in the bag to a minimal prior to shipping.