What is this - Parasite, Eel, Other???

[NW Cichlid Keith]

I found this dead in my 20L that has livebearers in it. In the past it has had a mix of fish - native and other. It's about 3-4 inches and appears to have eyes. Any thoughts on what this is and how it got in there?

 

[kno4te]

I’d say eel of some kind. Don’t recognize off the bat.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

If an eel, I didn't put it in there, and I never saw it alive - just floating.

 

[kno4te]

If an eel, I didn't put it in there, and I never saw it alive - just floating.

Maybe so small snuck in somewhere and just grew. With a plants or substrate. Don’t recall parasites or worms with those eyes and headshape.

 

[MrsE88]

Is there anyone else who has access to the tank? Maybe someone put it in there?

How very mysterious

 

[Jexnell]

Planted tank? I have had snails ride in on plants, maybe it came in on a plant as an egg.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Is there anyone else who has access to the tank? Maybe someone put it in there?

How very mysterious

No - in my basement. It is on the floor though and therefore doesn’t get as much attention as some of the other tanks - wish I had known he was in there and maybe he would have lived

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Planted tank? I have had snails ride in on plants, maybe it came in on a plant as an egg.

No - just a little bit of Java moss and a bunch of duckweed - there was floating salvina at one time

 

[Jexnell]

Well some plants anyways, could have rode in on them.

 

[Rob909]

Natives? Recently added? It looks to be a half digested fish that was either passed too quickly, or regurgitated due to stress. My snakes would do this with rats if they got stressed out and I imagine moving from a lake to a tank is pretty stressful.