Shipping a BTA

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've shipped corals before, but never an anemone. Are there any special procedures that I should be aware of?

Thanks!

 

[BonsaiNut]

From my own experience, anemones don't need a lot of water when shipped. I have even seen some come in direct from exporters with no water at all - wrapped in wet newspaper. Just make sure there is a lot of oxygen in there with them. I have shipped large (12" - 18") H. magnificas loose in a large bag with just enough water in the bottom to cover them / keep them wet. I don't doubt that they get sloshed around a lot, but out of about 6 or 7 anemones none were damaged in shipping. Obviously you can't have anything else in the bag with them - particularly any piece of rock, gravel or substrate. I say this because at least magnificas from the wild have an amazing ability to hold on to the smallest rock or pebble.

I don't know how they come in to importers currently. I haven't been close to the trade much recently.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Thanks for the advice. It's currently not attached to any rock, so that's not an issue. I'm assuming overnight shipping is the way to go.

 

[greech]

I have never shipped one but I would imagine overnight would be a very good idea. When my LFS gets their nems from their wholesaler, there are a couple of tiny (maybe 2"x2") carbon filled pouches in the bags. I am not sure if these help or are necessary but their nems always seem to look great and acclimate well. I have also heard about the low amount of water in the shipping bags but the nems I have seen shipped are roughly half full of water. HTH.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I'm assuming overnight shipping is the way to go.

Overnight is best no matter what live animal you ship. Keep weather in mind, it may be 70F where you are but 45F where it's going. And if it sits in a truck or on a porch for a few hours, it's going to be unhappy. And, quite likely, so will the recipient.

Jeff

 

[garygb]

I agree shipping overnight is best. I've shipped several RBTAs and I prefer to use FedEx Overnight. I believe either shipping with or without water is fine. After seeing how some anemones hang limp from rocks at high tide (see Lewy's thread at the top of this forum), I am confident no harm would be done. I've always shipped with water, the buyer has always requested that--and since they're paying for shipping.... I like to put one plastic bag, rubber banded down into another plastic bag, down in a third bag to make sure the water doesn't leak out. I put old rags around the bags for insulation and in the winter I ship inside a styrofoam container. I have shipped in mid-winter and used the little heat packs you can get at sporting good stores that skiiers use. This time of year, you probably won't need heat packs, just insulate it well with newspaper and/or cloth.

 

[BonsaiNut]

I believe either shipping with or without water is fine. After seeing how some anemones hang limp from rocks at high tide (see Lewy's thread at the top of this forum), I am confident no harm would be done.

Like this:

 

[Anemone]

I've shipped a bunch over the years. I've always shipped them with enough water to cover them, but with plenty of air in the bag as well. Triple bagged. Styrofoam walls for the cardboard box. One or two skiing "handwarmers" taped to the side styrofoam to keep things warm (generally with a single sheet of newsprint covering the handwarmer as well). And of course, overnight delivery. Never lost one.

Kevin

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Thanks for all the advice you guys!!