Vermin or Not? Definitely need an ID!

[postie]

I purchased some clean-up critters (online) and got an assortment. I'm having an algae problem at the present because I had a canibal snail that literally killed at ate all my other snails. It appeared to be a cerith or astria or something common...but it sure was a killer. I took it out of my tank and threw it in a rock tank...it's thriving...lol.

Anyway...one critter that "came" with my order was a caribbean fancy sea cucumber (actually 2 of them). I acclimated and introduced everyone into the tank. I just wanted to make sure one of the cucumbers was living since it hadn't moved and I poked him very lightly with the end of the turkey baster. He moved a little and the pictures below are what seemed to have come from one end or the other of the cuke, or out from under him...couldn't tell. The first picture is dark, but it shows a definite head and eye (I think). What on earth is this? It's totally transparent and eel shaped and about 7 or 8 inches long and about as big around as a medium nail.

IDEAS???

 

[Anonymous]

They are pearlfish, genus Encheliophis. They live inside the cucumber. Cool hitchhiker!

 

[Anonymous]

Looks like the eel that lives inside of cucumbers. Weird place to live, but they do.

 

[trido]

Im new to reefing so i cant ID it for you but it definately looks serpentine.

Cool

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking the same as Matt and Righty before I even saw the pics..

My guess is you'll get a few more confirmations the same as they said.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is good luck!!

 

[postie]

Hmmmmm, now I'm wondering how many of those I threw away with the "goo" and "strings" in the shipment bag??? What are pearl fish anyway and how do I care for it...I'm sure I'll never see it again. What are it's predators, etc? Powerheads even with guards might be problematic.

Wow...thanks for ID'ing for me....tell me more...

 

[Anonymous]

They live in the cukes resp. tree and enter and exit thru it's anus. They are pretty cool.

 

[postie]

Well, after everyone gave me the great ID, I've been reading about the pearlfish. Maybe cool, but living in an anus? Geez. What a life. Looks like I won't have to buy special food...lol And, I guess now I know where the pearlfish went! It will be back out tonight maybe. I definitely will have out the red lens on the flashlight tonight! Wonder how large their nightly meals are? I got 4 peppermint shrimp and the red brittle star already ate one of them...pearlfish might have a try at it. What an interesting find. I bet I'll never get another picture. I NEVER have my camera ready....today was an exception...and a good find. Thanks to everyone again and any more info is always welcomed!!!!!

 

[hogan]

thats cool

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck with them, postie, and just to be safe you should keep your anus out of the tank :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck with them, postie, and just to be safe you should keep your anus out of the tank :wink:

Another Friday night ruined!

 

[ChrisRD]

I almost spit water all over my monitor after reading those last two posts... :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

fzzzzzt...fzzzzzzzzzzt.....ssssssssssssssizzzle....I DID spit coffee all over my lap top! :lol: and out my nose....duly noted if I get the anal cucumber fish...

 

[Len]

LOL.

Those are neat and rarely available

 

[postie]

I can see why they would not be "readily" available....LOL

 

[drbdc]

The famous butt fish!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It's just so darn gross.

 

[Anonymous]

Most things that come out of a cuke are :wink:

 

[postie]

I've been reefing for about 10 years or so now and I've never had a cucumber in any tank....this is new to me....and turning out to be quite an interest! What is it exactly these cukes do for our tanks? I've researched some (sand stirrers, garbage eaters, etc...), but these have climbed into rock crevices and are living happily but stationary.

I'm still looking for another glimpse of that beautiful anal fish. My degrees are in psychology...this brings a whole new meaning to the word "anal"...LOL