Acclimating a dead/molting shrimp

[elfdoctors]

I just got a shipment from swf.com. The blood red fire shrimp seems to be dead on arrival. I am thinking of acclimating it slowly anyway as I don't know for sure if it might be molting. Is there anyway to tell for sure? None of its mouth parts are moving.
Does anyone have any advice?

 

[elfdoctors]

It kicked once! I am hoping it is just molting or in some reversible shocklike state. I am just planning on doing a long gradual acclimation and hope it makes it.
The box temperature in this shipment was only 70 degrees. Usually they arrive warmer. They used a larger box this time then usual and the 3 heat packs didn't seem as warm as prior shipments from here. I wonder if this is too low for them.

 

[squidd]

That 15 deg below 0 we had monday didn't help much either...:nope:
But if he's still kicking he may have a bit of life left...could have gone into a "hibernation" type shock from the cold...
Just acclimate slowly (temp change as well as water change) and keep an eye on him...
Hope for the best or apply for a refund...

 

[elfdoctors]

Thanks for the advice Squidd. You must be in northeastern WI as our minimum temperature today was a balmy 25. It was actually a beautiful day here today. We made it into the 40's today. The shipment didn't even get to Minneapolis until ~7:45 this morning so I don't think it was related to the outside temperature. Everything else in the shipment seems fine. The fish and crabs look great. I even have an orange linkia which has been getting progressively more active as it has been acclimated.
No more activity in the last 3 hours. I'm not optimistic. :nope: I also see that it is missing one of its long front feelers. The bag did not stink when I opened it.
When I am finished acclimating I think I am going to have to put it into a perforated container I have so that the clean up crew doesn't eat it if it is dead.

 

[reefsoe]

good call let us know the progress. Stick with it though I had some peppermints pull through

 

[elfdoctors]

It hasn't moved since that possible kick early in the 7 hour acclimation.
How long do I wait until I determine that it is dead?
The only think I can think of is to wait until it starts to smell. I think its dead but want to make absolutely sure that it is not just molting.

 

[reefsoe]

I am pretty sure its dead despite your great efforts. When molting I believe they move around much more to squirm out of there old shell. Good try though be proud of your attempt