Post Reproduction Age?

[JamisonSmith]

Hello all,

I have a quick question for the experts.

I recently set up yet another tank. This one is at the office so that I am always surrounded by water and fish Anyways, a friend of mine was breaking down a tank and gave me a very large (~4inches) tomato clown and I added a small (~1 inch) tomato clown from a local breeder in with it hoping to encourage a pair. Well I just found out that the large tomato clown is around 13 years old! I would imagine that would be past her prime and she is probably not going to pair up or do anything else other than eat like a pig. Should I give up on this particular fish for breeding and let her live a "normal" life?
Thanks,

Jamison

 

[NicoleC]

If she was wild caught, she could be older than 13 years. Size is not a good indication of age for wild caught fish.

I would let nature take it's course. Keep her well fed and happy and she will decide what to do. The potential lifespan of the various species' clowns is not definately known, but there are specimens in captivity over 20 years old. Of course, clowns in captivity probably live longer than ones in the wild... but maybe not!

Congrats are in order for your friend -- keeping a clown for 13 years is a very nice run!