Fish Birthday soon

[Paul B]

In a few weeks this Fireclown will be 21 years old and I don't know weather to throw him a party of just get a cake. He will also be able to legally drink so I was thinking of dosing Vodka.

 

[gobolts23]

wow that is very impressive. congrats!

 

[Paul B]

Thanks but don't congrat me, congrate him, I didn't have much to do with it. :lmao:
He is starting to show his age though. But he is still spawning. I think clownfish could reach about 25 years or a little older.

 

[RayL]

That is the longest I have ever heard a fish living in an aquarium for. Great job, you must do one hell of a job with your tanks.

 

[Paul B]

Thanks, but they live longer than that. I know some people on this site have older fish.

 

[ca1ore]

Whether the credit accrues to the fish or the hobbyist, just having a tank continuously for 21 years is an impressive feat. Requires, in no particular order of importance, persistence, stubborn-ness, an enduring fondness for the same house (or a job that doesn't move you around a lot), and uncommon skill as an aquarist. Best I ever did was about 12 years (a clown also).

 

[Paul B]

Actually the tank is 42 years old. The second oldest fish was a cusk eel that I killed by accident. I hope this fish lives until I take down the tank which may happen when it is 50. The tank, and me are getting old.

 

[H.reidi.MN]

+1 for a shot of vodka lol

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Congrats,21 years is impressive.

 

[Angelfish rule]

Wow
21 years old
that fish is older than me
:celeb3:

 

[Paul B]

Angelfish rule, my hermit crabs have socks older than you. :lol:

 

[Reef Frog]

It's amazing that you have dodged Mr. Murphy's laws for 21 years.

Yesterday, I had a half day power outage due to an ice storm that I was able to navigate thanks to an AC inverter, an extension cord and a full tank of gas. One week ago I was 2000 miles away on business and would have had a disaster on my hands if something similar had happened then. I've been in the hobby for about 3 1/2 years and I've had 3 power outages that would have ruined my tank if I wasn't near by to deal with things.

Outside of becoming a hermit and never traveling more than an hour from home, I need to put an automatic recovery system or plan in place. So Paul, how have you dodged the bullet for so long? If I recall you are not into fancy controllers that can send you messages when things go wrong...but you are an electrician by trade and a DIYer....any secrets to share?

 

[Paul B]

I don't dodge the bullit and I have been all over the world. But I am prepared as the power here on Long Island goes out when two pidgeons land at the same time on a light pole. I have a generator, but it is not automatic so I have to be here to start it. I run a reverse UG filter that doesn't care if the power is on or not, it has gone without power for 4 days and it doesn't seem to care. I have had tank sitters that let the water level fall 7" and the corals above that died, but the rest are fine. That is also why i don't have huge corals, they were above the water line and croaked. Maybe the rest is luck. But the tank is 42 years old, that fish is 21.