Hungry Mushroom ??

I have had and seen some strange crap happen over the years, but never ever have I heard of a hairy mushroom eating a fish. But tonight I notice that I don’t see too many little fishies swimming around, I didn’t think much of it since my eel was out and they usually duck for cover (even tho he only eats shrimp and squid that I hand feed him).

Anywho, I am checking things out and notice one of my clowns tail is sticking out of the mouth of a hairy mushroom !! Maybe once a year (every 10 months or so) I see these grab a chunk of food and enclose around it like an anemone. But this is a new one for me – this hairy shroom actually ate my clown fish. It appears that he is beginning to expel it out now since its probably way too big for him – in which case I will get better pictures over the next few hours.

I’ll attach what I took tonight….my wife is upset !!

 

Thats insane.. I would be upset also.
Is this normal behavior?
LG

 

This isn't normal as far as I know. The clown may have already been sick, dying, or dead. That would make more sense. I've never heard of this though.

 

That seems to make more sense...I have had a clown for over a year and has NEVER gone near my GBTA...and he's supposed to! : ) LOL
can't seem him willing-ly go to death without a fight.
LG

 

wow, I've never heard that before either...my maroon clown loves his h.m's!

 

Perfect example.
nice avatar photo.

LG

 

Well, my wife says that she has been seeing the clowns suck on the Hairy Mushroom's like a baby with a pacifier. I have not see this myself.

The fish are all healthy and no one was dieing or even week. I cuddle in the hariy shroom all the time, sort of treat them like kids in a slip-n-slid -- never has something like this happened....like I said, been doing this a while and never came across this. Always something new in this hobby. If I can get better pics I will as the night goes on.

 

Thsat avitar looks more like a toadstool to me than a HM

 

Well, than there is my answer. But I need to say, I have had these in my tank for many years with my clowns hosting daily and this is the first I have seen of this ever. I love to learn, but I guess this is the hard way (kids are loving it tho)