any thoughts on how my ray died?

[runninlow]

So yesterday I received 1 of my pride and joy hybrid rays. After a long trip from overseas, I finally received it! Sadly the amount of water and debris that was in the bag was pretty bad. So I rushed home and place him in the tank. I let the bag sit for about 15 minutes, opened the bag and made sure it was still breathing and twitching.
Then I drop him into the tank. It went to the corner of the tank and dug down (note: I have sand in the tank) shivered a few times (tail was pointed upwards and clamped down in the sand). At this point I was still monitoring and watching him breath and move. After about 15 minutes of letting it adjust itself I left. About 20 minutes I had this bad feeling and decided to go back and check up on him.
I flashed the light towards his gills and I notice that they were no longer breathing! I panic and turned the lights on and to my dismay he was limp. I had to confirm so I went in and lifted him out and….no movement.
I am not too sure how this could have happen. My thoughts are all still off right now as to what could of happen. My thoughts are either Ph Shock? Already near death in bag? Ammonia burn was too bad and it was on its way out…Etc…

 

[eddiegunks]

This is the method that I now use.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/acclimating-large-fish.5350/

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Bad shipping bro!

 

[Dieselhybrid]

I believe the ray wasn't properly purged for shipping. It likely suffered from ammonia/nitrite poisoning to some degree during shipment. Then when it went straight into the new tank, the water values were too drastically different and sent it into shock. Not placing blaming on your acclimation method, but a more gradual acclimation to different water chemistry MAY have helped, but I doubt it. The only debris I find in the bag from shipment I have received is mucus, and slime. There shouldn't be any feces or solid waste at all, if there is that means there was food in the digestive tract during shipping and that should always be avoided.

How long was the ray in transit? Airport to airport? Or overnight to several days? Experienced shipper? did they add prime/safe for ammonia?

Sorry hear about the loss. Watching death is always difficult, especially with such a small creature.

 

[runninlow]

I believe the ray wasn't properly purged for shipping. It likely suffered from ammonia/nitrite poisoning to some degree during shipment. Then when it went straight into the new tank, the water values were too drastically different and sent it into shock. Not placing blaming on your acclimation method, but a more gradual acclimation to different water chemistry MAY have helped, but I doubt it. The only debris I find in the bag from shipment I have received is mucus, and slime. There shouldn't be any feces or solid waste at all, if there is that means there was food in the digestive tract during shipping and that should always be avoided.

How long was the ray in transit? Airport to airport? Or overnight to several days? Experienced shipper? did they add prime/safe for ammonia?

Sorry hear about the loss. Watching death is always difficult, especially with such a small creature.

The ray came from Malaysia, so it took 1.5 days to get to me. The shipper is usually really good about send the rays in great shape. For some reason this one came in pretty bad. I am still at a lost, i am still thinking about how i could of saved it but its gone now and the only thing is regret....once i figure out a way to post pictures i will show yah how it looked.