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View Full Version : Strange hitchhiker, pics and vid inside - What is it?


Fishamatank
05/19/2010, 06:47 PM
I did a tank upgrade 2 months ago, I don't think that this was in the tank then but I suppose it's possible. The LR in this tank is 10 + years old, and was through several tank crashes with the previous owner and I "cooked" it about 7 months ago.
I think the only way this could have made it's way into the tank is on a coral.

It is about 3" long total, I've never seen it during the day. It was all over the tank last night though. It definitely has fish like eyes, but it swims like a snake or eel.

These are the best pics I could get - in the dark with no tripod.

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/Fishamatank/Fish1.jpg
http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/Fishamatank/Fish2.jpg
http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/Fishamatank/Fish3.jpg

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/Fishamatank/th_HH.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/Fishamatank/?action=view&current=HH.flv)

sanababit
05/19/2010, 06:53 PM
wow, cool find, i've seen transparent fish before, but cant say which species it is

sana

noahm
05/19/2010, 06:55 PM
That is a pearlfish. It typically lives inside a sea cucumber. Usually coming out at night to eat.

Fishamatank
05/19/2010, 06:59 PM
Thanks! I just looked up some pics with google, and yes it is a pearfish, and yes I do have a cucumber.
I had 2 cukes but one was dying for some reason so I pulled it before it caused any problems.

Harmless?

Fishamatank
05/19/2010, 08:53 PM
Is there any danger to any inhabitants in the tank?

noahm
05/19/2010, 09:04 PM
Totally harmless. There is some scientific debate as to whether the relationship with the cuke is lopsided or not, and most is speculation, but other than that, it is harmless to your tank. I had one. I assume it is still 'in there' ;), but haven't seen it in 6 months or so. They appear to be blind or nearly so as I get no reaction from light shining on mine whatsoever. Pretty neat though, but confusing as heck when you find a new fish after months/years.

robs.mark
05/20/2010, 08:26 AM
Totally awesome!

Sugar Magnolia
05/20/2010, 08:50 AM
AHHH!!!! Another one!! The infamous butt-fish. Got to love those pearl fish. :lol:

thebkramer
05/20/2010, 08:55 AM
Thats pretty cool! So it possible that my tigertail has one of those?!?!? Wow..thats interesting! :fun5:

joeychitwood
05/20/2010, 09:04 AM
A GONAD-EATING BUTTFISH! Holy cow, it's baaaack!!!!

Fishamatank, do you have any idea how famous you are about to become?

KafudaFish
05/20/2010, 09:12 AM
And so it begins. A mod might as well move this to the lounge for serious discussion. Seriously.

PoukieBear
05/20/2010, 09:17 AM
It's baaack!

The gonad eating butt fish ! !


Hahaha ! Love it !

Nina51
05/20/2010, 09:37 AM
A GONAD-EATING BUTTFISH! Holy cow, it's baaaack!!!!

Fishamatank, do you have any idea how famous you are about to become?

don't you mean INfamous?

boozeman
05/20/2010, 09:37 AM
:lol: im in

skippy2
05/20/2010, 09:43 AM
AHHH!!!! Another one!! The infamous butt-fish. Got to love those pearl fish. :lol:

Thanks for the link Sugar:dance::dance:

insane
05/20/2010, 09:44 AM
A little Lounge Leakage going on. Someone better tighten that bulkhead again.

Butt-fish. Yay!

Sugar Magnolia
05/20/2010, 11:16 AM
A little Lounge Leakage going on. Someone better tighten that bulkhead again.

:lol:

sslak
05/20/2010, 11:34 AM
Oh man, what are the odds? Angela's Gonad Eating Buttfish!!!

Edit: Seriously, thanks for the video! It's very cool! I've never seen this fish before, only in terrible blurry pictures usually.

joeychitwood
05/20/2010, 11:40 AM
In all seriousness Fishamatank, thanks for posting the photos (and especially the video) of the fish. As you can tell, the Pearl fish is really a bit legendary in the hobby, and actual video is rare. Keep us posted on how the fish does and if you ever see it enter or leave the host, assuming you still have the host.

KafudaFish
05/20/2010, 11:57 AM
Have you named it yet?

If not how about Karl? Karl is a good name.

TheBimbo
05/20/2010, 11:58 AM
it's also legendary in The Lounge as well Joey :lmao:

mikehunt
05/20/2010, 12:00 PM
freakin sweet!

Gawain1974
05/20/2010, 12:29 PM
I don't know whom to feel sorry for the most--the pearl fish that lives in the cuke's anus, or the cuke who has a fish in its butt that constantly feeds on its gonads.

Sugar Magnolia
05/20/2010, 12:36 PM
A little light reading - http://bio.classes.ucsc.edu/bio162/Previous%20Class%20Material/Moorea%202002/Readings/cucumbers.pdf

Shotgunlew
05/20/2010, 02:12 PM
How do I get one?

BlueCorn
05/20/2010, 02:22 PM
How do I get one?

A nurse will be right in.

muttley000
05/20/2010, 07:13 PM
What a trip to find something like that unexpectedly in your tank. Thanks for sharing the pics.

thebkramer
05/20/2010, 07:23 PM
OMG...the poor cucumber!!!

instead of sharing the same hiding place like pistol shrimp and gobies, the pearlfish will actually retreat into the anus of the sea cucumber. It’s very strange to watch, but amazing nontheless. The pearlfish will back into the sea cucumbers anus tail first where it is then safe from predators.

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatfishblog/2008/11/26/pearlfish-and-sea-cucumber-symbiosis/