Life Expectancy Database

[Tradewinds]

While enjoying a class of wine, with my wife in front of the tank, she asked how long the fish live on average. :fish2::hmm2:

I did a search on "life expectancy database" but came up empty.

Does anyone know if such data exists for the more common fish we keep in captivity?

 

[Wolverine]

Not aware of any, but if you ask about specific fish, someone on here usually has an idea. It's a pretty wide range. Neon gobies typically live 1-1 1/2 years. Many clownfish live a couple of decades.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I remember someone's attempt to make one.

Given the variables (source, ability of hobbyist, feeding, water supply, shipping differences, etc., etc., etc. ) I doubt it would be possible to come up with any reasonably accurate database.
The life expectancy of PBTs is probably <6 months for PBTs in general; but many years for folks that know the needs of the fish. A wrasse from Australia will, under similar circumstances, usually live longer (on the average.) than the same fish from Indonesia. Then figure in PETCO.....

 

[DustyReefer]

I remember someone's attempt to make one.

Given the variables (source, ability of hobbyist, feeding, water supply, shipping differences, etc., etc., etc. ) I doubt it would be possible to come up with any reasonably accurate database.
The life expectancy of PBTs is probably <6 months for PBTs in general; but many years for folks that know the needs of the fish. A wrasse from Australia will, under similar circumstances, usually live longer (on the average.) than the same fish from Indonesia. Then figure in PETCO.....

The PETCO joke made my night hahaha

 

[b0bab0ey]

If anyone sees Paul B, tell him his expertise is required here. :dance:

 

[o2manyfish]

I know that large public aquariums have kept Large angels for more than 25 years.

Seaworld had some Queensland groupers that were 30+ years.

I had rescued an abused and ugly purple tang that I got full grown and kept for 14 years before I gave him away.

I kept a flame angel and mandarin for over 15 years.

My dad had a small yellow tang in a 40g tank that lived for 14 years before he took the tank down.

I have a friend with Clowns over 15 years. Royal Grammas over 15, and a Black Cap Basslet thats about 12 now.

Dave B

 

[IdahoGuy]

I've had a hippo tang for almost a decade. Had a maroon clown for almost that long before she finally passed.

 

[Tradewinds]

Thanks for all the responses, each of them are appreciated! :thumbsup:

Not aware of any, but if you ask about specific fish, someone on here usually has an idea. It's a pretty wide range. Neon gobies typically live 1-1 1/2 years. Many clownfish live a couple of decades.

I would be interested in obtaining this type of information for the following fish:

Yellow Tang, Hippo Tang, Ocellaris Clownfish (2), Bi-Color Blenny, Diamond Goby (From the posts above it looks like many of these fish will live at least 10-15 years)

These fish are housed in a 180 and are feed a varied diet of pellet, Rod's, or Mysis shrimp, once a day. Not sure if any other variables would be helpful.

I remember someone's attempt to make one.

Given the variables (source, ability of hobbyist, feeding, water supply, shipping differences, etc., etc., etc. ) I doubt it would be possible to come up with any reasonably accurate database.

I'm just looking for ballpark figures. Heck, we can't accurately predict a human's lifespan, but are still able to throw out rough estimates.

The life expectancy of PBTs is probably <6 months for PBTs in general; but many years for folks that know the needs of the fish. A wrasse from Australia will, under similar circumstances, usually live longer (on the average.) than the same fish from Indonesia. Then figure in PETCO.....

What is PBT? The Petco comment had me laughing as well.

 

[jaa1456]

A PBT is a powder blue tang, I had one for 12 years. I threw a party one night and all my tanks were milky white the next morning with all dead fish, including an Achilles that was almost 13 years and a flame and coral beauty. They were all in a 265. The other tanks all fish were over 8 years witch included a yellow tang and an Argi angel and another flame.

 

[chicarp]

ever find who dmped in what?

 

[Laddy]

You might want to check the RC archives, I remember a thread 5-6 yrs back which tried to cover this topic. Not one person is the authority on how long captive fish can be kept as the variables are just too great.

 

[jaa1456]

ever find who dmped in what?

Sadly no, but there are no more parties at my house.

 

[Haffs09]

A few years ago, I read of a hobbyist who had a hippo tang live 35+ years! Mine is going on 12+ years.

 

[Breadman03]

ever find who dmped in what?

You didn't happen to mention vodka dosing at the party, did you?

 

[Mikefallen13]

I was wondering about this as well. I know I have heard stories from my LFS of people keeping some large angels and clown triggers for well over 20 years, I have my own personal experiences. My father had a purple tang in a 29 gal tank for almost 15 years before it died. One of my friends currently has a yellow tang that he has owned for 13 years and a pair of maroon clowns that he has owned for approx. 9 years. So with proper care some of these fish can live for a very long time.

 

[Tradewinds]

Sounds pretty promising so far. I wonder if any of our captive marine fish will live as long as Koi fish supposedly do.