Since I am not sure if my 65-gal (yeah, another change in tank size but this time it'll be final) tank will have enough room for a Coral Beauty or Flameback Angel as my centerpiece fish, I will be turning to Basslets and Wrasses as my source of bright colors. Which leads me to an important question, under good conditions, how long can Wrasses and Basslets live? I've been doing research and trying to select fish that have a good chance of living longer lives.
Before I get to the topic of this thread, I've found numerous posts saying Clowns can live 10 years+, even over 20 years, the Blue-Green Reef Chromis 8-15, Hawkfish up to 10 (but RIP inverts), Yellow Watchman Gobies 10+ (it is for this reason and looks wise that it's the Goby I am most interested in), and Scissortail Dartfish and non-Firefish Dartfish (5+). Dottybacks on average live 5-7 years which is acceptable, but they're too aggressive.
Coral Beauties I heard live 6-8 years on average, maybe more, and I assume it would be around the same for other Centropyge angels. I've essentially ruled out some fish such as Cardinals (3-5 years), most Blennies and Gobies (2-5 years, 1-2 for Neon), Firefish (3-4 years), and the Blackcap Basslet (3-5 years).
Now, getting to the topic of this thread. Starting with Wrasses, I find the Fairy and Flasher Wrasses very beautiful. I know they'd be amazing as a centerpiece fish. I'm eyeing the 3"-4" species among both genuses, but from the research I've done, their beauty is very fleeting as the Flashers on average live 4-5 years and the Fairies live 5-6 years. Another small fish I'm interested in are the Pink Streak Wrasses which are only 2.5" max and the Possum Wrasses but then again they live for 3-4 years.
I don't know if internet sources are accurate, but it seems to me that among the Wrasses (within 5") the ones that are easy but relatively long-lived are the Lined species and the genus Halichoeres. Using what I've found about the Six-Line as reference, it seems that their genus (Four-Lined and Mystery are the ones I'm also considering) can live up to 10 years with good care. I've also read that the Halichoeres (Yellow Coris, Melanthurus, Red Lined, Vrolik's) can manage 7-8, possibly even more, with good care.
I'm also looking at the Pacific Peppermint and the Yellow Candy Hogfish. I haven't found any sources on the lifespan of the former but Google says the latter can do around 11 years. I'd assume the same for the former.
Should I refrain from buying terminal males as a precaution? Does it mean that if any species of Wrasse or Hogfish is a terminal male, it won't have much life left in it?
Onto Basslets. Most sources I've found say Royal Grammas on average live at least 5-7 years, and I've seen reefers make posts saying how they have managed to keep theirs for 8+ years, even 10+. I'd assume the same for the Swissguard and Lantern Basslets. The Assessors (Golden and Randall's), again, I haven't found a source on their longevity, but I am assuming they're similar to the Royal Gramma and Swissguard.
The Blackcap seems to be an anomaly among the Basslets. It says they only do 3-5 years. Maybe it's because they are a deep water species?
I am setting goals for myself. First, if I can keep a fish for 3 years. Then, 6 years. Then 10 years and above. Would these goals be too unattainable for a first time saltwater hobbyist?
It would be really cool to have fish that I started my tank with be with me for a long time.
The two dealers I plan to buy fish from have tank-bred Clownfish and some Angels. The rest are wild caught from Indonesia or the Philippines. The Atlantic species would obviously have to be flown from the Caribbean. One of them quarantined their fish for a week, the other 3-4 days. They're both Chinese.
P.S. Regardless of the species, when given the option, I'll try to buy the smallest one possible. If not, I'll just have to hope for the best.
Before I get to the topic of this thread, I've found numerous posts saying Clowns can live 10 years+, even over 20 years, the Blue-Green Reef Chromis 8-15, Hawkfish up to 10 (but RIP inverts), Yellow Watchman Gobies 10+ (it is for this reason and looks wise that it's the Goby I am most interested in), and Scissortail Dartfish and non-Firefish Dartfish (5+). Dottybacks on average live 5-7 years which is acceptable, but they're too aggressive.
Coral Beauties I heard live 6-8 years on average, maybe more, and I assume it would be around the same for other Centropyge angels. I've essentially ruled out some fish such as Cardinals (3-5 years), most Blennies and Gobies (2-5 years, 1-2 for Neon), Firefish (3-4 years), and the Blackcap Basslet (3-5 years).
Now, getting to the topic of this thread. Starting with Wrasses, I find the Fairy and Flasher Wrasses very beautiful. I know they'd be amazing as a centerpiece fish. I'm eyeing the 3"-4" species among both genuses, but from the research I've done, their beauty is very fleeting as the Flashers on average live 4-5 years and the Fairies live 5-6 years. Another small fish I'm interested in are the Pink Streak Wrasses which are only 2.5" max and the Possum Wrasses but then again they live for 3-4 years.
I don't know if internet sources are accurate, but it seems to me that among the Wrasses (within 5") the ones that are easy but relatively long-lived are the Lined species and the genus Halichoeres. Using what I've found about the Six-Line as reference, it seems that their genus (Four-Lined and Mystery are the ones I'm also considering) can live up to 10 years with good care. I've also read that the Halichoeres (Yellow Coris, Melanthurus, Red Lined, Vrolik's) can manage 7-8, possibly even more, with good care.
I'm also looking at the Pacific Peppermint and the Yellow Candy Hogfish. I haven't found any sources on the lifespan of the former but Google says the latter can do around 11 years. I'd assume the same for the former.
Should I refrain from buying terminal males as a precaution? Does it mean that if any species of Wrasse or Hogfish is a terminal male, it won't have much life left in it?
Onto Basslets. Most sources I've found say Royal Grammas on average live at least 5-7 years, and I've seen reefers make posts saying how they have managed to keep theirs for 8+ years, even 10+. I'd assume the same for the Swissguard and Lantern Basslets. The Assessors (Golden and Randall's), again, I haven't found a source on their longevity, but I am assuming they're similar to the Royal Gramma and Swissguard.
The Blackcap seems to be an anomaly among the Basslets. It says they only do 3-5 years. Maybe it's because they are a deep water species?
I am setting goals for myself. First, if I can keep a fish for 3 years. Then, 6 years. Then 10 years and above. Would these goals be too unattainable for a first time saltwater hobbyist?
It would be really cool to have fish that I started my tank with be with me for a long time.
The two dealers I plan to buy fish from have tank-bred Clownfish and some Angels. The rest are wild caught from Indonesia or the Philippines. The Atlantic species would obviously have to be flown from the Caribbean. One of them quarantined their fish for a week, the other 3-4 days. They're both Chinese.
P.S. Regardless of the species, when given the option, I'll try to buy the smallest one possible. If not, I'll just have to hope for the best.
