while (<DATA>) {
	print join " <-> ", split /#####(?=[^#])/;
}
__DATA__
oX#####skullandbones
<;#####pie
(o)#####goatse
(~)#####ninja
:o)######clownwithbowtie

__OUTPUT__
oX <-> skullandbones
<; <-> pie
(o) <-> goatse
(~) <-> ninja
:o)# <-> clownwithbowtie