Can you identify what this is?

[lstfshmm87]

We recently moved the wrasse to the main tank after having it in quarantine for about 3-4 weeks. It naturally hid for a few days in the rock, but the first 2 days in the main tank it did eat and kind of stay in a little corner. To be expected. The fish then moved into the rock, where it stayed for 2 days. Today it was gone! I checked the tank almost every hour looking everywhere for it and it was no where to be found. After most of the day passed, I found the fish half eaten, but also with it's head literally stuck in whatever this may be in the photo.

 

[littlefoxx]

 

[littlefoxx]

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I found the fish half eaten, but also with it's head literally stuck in whatever this may be in the photo.

Welcome to Reef2Reef and sorry for your loss!

Based on the video, that looks like it's probably a Ball Anemone (a Corallimorph; I say probably because it's hard to say for sure with the pics/video, but it seems likely based on the nem-like base and what seems to be ball-point tips on the tentacles) trying eat way more than it can handle - a ball nem wouldn't be taking down a healthy fish, but it may try it's hand at eating a dead/dying one.

I would guess (based at least partly on the only 3-4 week quarantine) that fish was probably sick with something, and the stress of the move into the new tank (and/or possibly being bullied, depending on the other fish in there) weakened it's immune system enough for the disease to kill it.

For a proper QT, I suggest the protocol outlined in the thread below:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2024 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed, proactive quarantine process can effectively eliminate these...

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