Can anyone tell me what this is?

[Sarahb]

I found this in my tank this morning. Its tail was sticking out of the rock.

Thanks

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e23/brianbarringer/my%20tank/SALTWATERTANK005.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e23/brianbarringer/my%20tank/SALTWATERTANK001.jpg

[Kahuna Tuna]

Its a pearlfish, they live inside invertebrates, most often in the anus of a sea cucumber. I kid you not.

[Hormigaquatica]

And just because what Kahuna Tuna does sound mildly insane, Ill just jump in to back him up on that one.. lol.

Does appear to be a Pearlfish (closely resembles a few species of Carapus). As Kahuna noted, this group is best known for associating with echinoderms, most famously for living in the anus of large cucumbers. Many leave their 'host' at night to hunt around, some less frequently, and a few are free living. I believe all species of Carapus are associated with a star or cuke to some degree. One of the more bizarre hitchikers; Ive only heard of a handful getting into the hobby, and almost all were brought in unknowingly.

Just for fun, a different species of Carapus looking out his.. um.. back door.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Aguabeast/Chat%20Posting%20Photos/PearlfishCuke.jpg

[Sarahb]

Thanks!! Now what did I do with it?

[Kahuna Tuna]

And just because what Kahuna Tuna does sound mildly insane

Hey, I resemble that remark! :) There was a thread on RC about the "buttfish" a few years back. Pretty funny stuff. He's a back door man!

[2fishy]

Sarahb, I am not sure what the answer is but

[welcome]

[Grunt]

Do you curently have a cucumber in your tank? maybe the fish, tagged along. :D If thre is a cuc in the tank I would place the fish back in the tank with the cuc.
Cheers

[Hormigaquatica]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9689665#post9689665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kahuna Tuna
Hey, I resemble that remark! :) There was a thread on RC about the "buttfish" a few years back. Pretty funny stuff. He's a back door man!

LOL- I wish I had saved that thread to my computer; good stuff.

As far as what to do with it now- excellent question. Do you have any large cucumbers that it may have come in with, or even a large starfish (doughboy, pincushion, etc)? Where did your rock come from- Caribbean or Pacific? The best you can probably do at this point is offer it food and hope he takes it; Im really not sure how the commensal pearlfish do without a host... sorry...

[Sarahb]

I have no cucumber. I did add a Blue linka starfish on Saturday and found the pearlfish on Monday. So if I put it back in the tank, Do you think it will be reef safe. I dont have any small fish. I do feed live brine so maybe, it will eat.
Thanks for all the help and the welcome!

[Hormigaquatica]

Im sure it wouldnt bother corals, so certainly reef-safe in that sense. In general Carapus go after very small fish and crustaceans (I would think anything larger than say a clown would certainly be safe), but since you said you have no small fish just watch for small shrimp. I dont see where it would be much of a pest in the typical reef tank.