Why can't you specify gigantea or haddoni?

[taylor t]

Every time I call and ask, under your california site, it only lists the species as "carpet species" and not which type. You can never tell me which type you would send. I think if you had the animals best interest, you would specify which one you would be shipping, gigantea, or haddoni. Both have very different requirements. One needs very high random flow and likes rocks. The other likes sand with lower flow. One is very difficult, one is easy. One is a known fish eater, one not so much. One can live with a little less light, one needs all it can get. MANY differences. Who ever buys them should know which one you plan on shipping, so they can prepare a place/tank for it to have the best chance of survival. Or better yet, who ever wants a specific type (like me), they can order it, BECAUSE THEY ARE PREPARED FOR THAT PARTICULAR SPECIES.

I just don't understand why this particular area is so difficult for you to categorize, it's about as different as sending a BTA in the same category with a mag and telling people "you get what we send".
I don't think what I'm trying to get is unreasonable. I'm not asking for WYSIWYG (a photo), I understand DD. I'm only interested in a species ID. You have a separate category for a $2 crab, depending if I want yellow or white stripes on the legs. But, a $40 -$60 item can't be separated? Why so much resistance?

 

[dfs/la2]

taylor t,

Thank you for contacting us with your questions. We forwarded these questions to look into this further for you. We will post any further information on Monday. We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.

Stacie R
Technical Support
Live Aquaria

 

[DFS]

taylor t,

Any item listed as Genus-xxxxx sp. on the LiveAquaria.com web site is done so for two reasons. First, there are numerous species of fish, corals and invertebrates that look so similar or are almost identical to another recognized species that its almost impossible to determine them apart. The second scenario (which is the case with the (Carpet Anemone, Assorted- (Stichodactyla sp.) ) is that the majority of marine livestock suppliers will receive a few different species that looks similar from different exports overseas. In these shipments every week it is very common to receive one or more different species which again look similar. More often than not we receive and ship Stichodactyla haddoni which is consistent with the photograph we display on the product page for this animal show Here.

Please do not confuse this as a lack of care or understanding on our part. It appears as though you have been a member of RC since 2006, and I would imagine you have read hundreds of posts regarding the quality, care and attention we provide to both the animals and our valued customers.

I have been working diligently with our supplier to sort these animal on import so that when they find the occasional Stichodactyla gigantea it can be listed and sold as a separate item. In the meantime I encourage you to visit the Divers Den section of our LiveAquaria.com web site which is where all carpet anemones are listed as Stichodactyla haddoni, Stichodactyla gigantea, or Stichodactyla mertensii.

Thank you for your understanding,
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[taylor t]

Thanks for your reply Kevin.

While I agree that they may look similar during the transportation and holding process, there are still a few ways to tell them apart, still. I'm not new, and I know you aren't either. I have quite a few more years in it than 2. And yes, I've read a bit. That's not the issue.

Shipping can stress them out and bleach them, and make tentacles shorten, but to someone that's been in salt for a while, such as a store, you should still be able to tell from first glance. An up close inspection (which you are the only ones that can do that while the animal is in your possesion) should be able to "seal the deal". While I may not offer my opinion of the typical "ID this please" thread, I'm almost always right on, not always, almost, even without good pics. I understand no one's 100%. Whether I can ID it or how much experience one has isn't the question though.

I guess the issue is, your stichodactyla sp. category should be "haddoni" category, as you have said yourself above, when they "find the occasional gigantea, it can be listed as such". But, it appears as if a gigantea could potentially go out instead of a haddoni, to a place that may or may not be ready for it. If it's so stressed to the point of not being able to ID it, should it really go out? I'm sorry, but it seems I'm about to start a circle, which I really don't want to do. I'm just wondering if there is a chance to have a gigantea category, so one that desires such an animal, can get, a gigantea, not a haddoni, and not order from a category that's like a grab bag. Sorry it seems so pointed, but I've called several times, and no one seems to be able to tell me what's what for the California portion. And yes, I know about Diver's Den. I'm looking at the category "what we have is what you get (California)", not the "WYSIWYG (Wisconsin)".

 

[taylor t]

I guess I should have just said, "if others can do it, why can't you?". I know you have experienced people to ID them, it may just be getting the web site changed. I don't know.

 

[DFS]

taylor t,

I understand your frustration, and am sorry that we have not been able to provide you with what you are looking for. I would also like to apologize if you felt that I was questioning your knowledge base or experience level, as this was not my intention. All of us at Drs. Foster and Smith/LiveAquaria are here to help everyone no matter how many years they have been maintaining marine aquariums. I simply stated that you joined RC in '06 and that I am sure you have read numerous posts regarding the quality, care and attention we provide to both the animals and our valued customers.

This issue at this time involves maintaining accurate inventory levels, as well as properly tracking animals from multiple suppliers overseas through the chain of custody.

As I stated previously, I have been, and will continue to work diligently with our supplier so we are able to sort these animal once imported into the states, and create a separate SKU so they can be accurately listed down to the species level on the LiveAquaria.com web site. It is my goal to offer both Stichodactyla haddoni and Stichodactyla gigantea on the LiveAquaria web site, shipped from California, to compliment what we offer on the Divers Den section, and when I am successful I will post the information in this thread.

Once again, I apologize for your frustration and thank you again for your understanding.

Regards,
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith