Fish life expectency in home reef

taku · 09/08/2008, 09:41 AM

I've got an 8 year old yellow tang and false percula. How long do these fish live for? I'm really happy to still have them around in my 120 reef, but both of them are 8 years old now and I'm curious what sort of life expectancy they have in the home aquarium?

I'm quite attached to my yellow tang and although I haven't named him, I know I'll be really sad when he dies. For now though, he still looks great, like a spring chicken even. I've seen some ugly yellow tangs, but this guy still is beautiful and young looking.

Who has the oldest fish on reef central?

Guess I should post some pics of him when I get home

Feel free to do the same with your oldies!

LockeOak · 09/08/2008, 09:45 AM

I've heard of clowns living well past 20 years in captivity... there are some folks on RC with clowns that remember the Reagan administration.

CleveYank · 09/08/2008, 10:02 AM

I've heard the 12 to 17 year range on the clowns myself.

(loved Reagan but I cannot resist)

Even though Ronald Reagen didn't even remember the Reagan Administration...lol

Dah Dunt Chihhh

AZDesertRat · 09/08/2008, 10:14 AM

I have had several clowns and damsels live past 13 years and a couple tangs live past 7 or 8 years.

crvz · 09/08/2008, 10:16 AM

I only have fish that are in the 3 year range, but clowns have probably the oldest records (20+ years, as mentioned). I don't think there's a good grasp on the lifespan of fish, particularly reef fish, as it's not often been studied.

backej1 · 09/08/2008, 10:24 AM

I had a Kole Tang for 12 years (just passed last Spring).

I've had my Tomatoe Clown for 13 years and she's still going strong. She is very territorial and lays eggs (with her hubby) every 2 weeks.

taku · 09/08/2008, 11:21 AM

Very good info all!

Last night I was researching small schooling fish for my 120g (all I have are the mated pair false percs and yellow tang) and I ran across some info on ghost cardinal (maybe blue head or blue eyed cardinals) but apparently they are very short lived (as in less than 2 years).

Anyone have experience with smaller schooling fish that do well in reefs?

leemik · 09/08/2008, 11:51 AM

I had a pair of Percula Clowns for 9 years.. Until I decided to take a break from the hobby and gave them to a friend.. He still has them 5 years later.

cash cow · 09/08/2008, 04:55 PM

i've had a cinnamon clown for over 22 years.......don't know how old he was before i had him!!! take good care of them and they might even out-live you!!!

taku · 09/08/2008, 05:04 PM

wow!!!!

Do you have a picture of the old guy?

Treeman · 09/08/2008, 05:42 PM

My brother has a clown for 17 years now and it was full size when he got it. And it has paired up with his other one and they are breeding.

cash cow · 09/08/2008, 06:28 PM

sorry no pics taku.........he's about 4 inches long and he orniry as all get out... he's getting mean

09/08/2008, 09:41 AM	#1
taku Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orlando. FL Posts: 536	Fish life expectency in home reef I've got an 8 year old yellow tang and false percula. How long do these fish live for? I'm really happy to still have them around in my 120 reef, but both of them are 8 years old now and I'm curious what sort of life expectancy they have in the home aquarium? I'm quite attached to my yellow tang and although I haven't named him, I know I'll be really sad when he dies. For now though, he still looks great, like a spring chicken even. I've seen some ugly yellow tangs, but this guy still is beautiful and young looking. Who has the oldest fish on reef central? Guess I should post some pics of him when I get home Feel free to do the same with your oldies!

09/08/2008, 10:16 AM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I only have fish that are in the 3 year range, but clowns have probably the oldest records (20+ years, as mentioned). I don't think there's a good grasp on the lifespan of fish, particularly reef fish, as it's not often been studied. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

09/08/2008, 11:51 AM	#8
leemik Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 21	I had a pair of Percula Clowns for 9 years.. Until I decided to take a break from the hobby and gave them to a friend.. He still has them 5 years later. __________________ Tank1: 55g Elos 70 Tank2: 22g ZeroEdge

09/08/2008, 05:42 PM	#11
Treeman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,470	My brother has a clown for 17 years now and it was full size when he got it. And it has paired up with his other one and they are breeding. __________________ A nation of sheep will get a government of wolves. - Edward R. Murrow Current Tank Info: 75 gal reef

09/08/2008, 09:45 AM	#2
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	I've heard of clowns living well past 20 years in captivity... there are some folks on RC with clowns that remember the Reagan administration.

09/08/2008, 10:02 AM	#3
CleveYank 20 Years and Over Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 3,052	I've heard the 12 to 17 year range on the clowns myself. (loved Reagan but I cannot resist) Even though Ronald Reagen didn't even remember the Reagan Administration...lol Dah Dunt Chihhh

09/08/2008, 10:14 AM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I have had several clowns and damsels live past 13 years and a couple tangs live past 7 or 8 years.

09/08/2008, 10:24 AM	#6
backej1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 120	I had a Kole Tang for 12 years (just passed last Spring). I've had my Tomatoe Clown for 13 years and she's still going strong. She is very territorial and lays eggs (with her hubby) every 2 weeks.

09/08/2008, 11:21 AM	#7
taku Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orlando. FL Posts: 536	Very good info all! Last night I was researching small schooling fish for my 120g (all I have are the mated pair false percs and yellow tang) and I ran across some info on ghost cardinal (maybe blue head or blue eyed cardinals) but apparently they are very short lived (as in less than 2 years). Anyone have experience with smaller schooling fish that do well in reefs?

09/08/2008, 04:55 PM	#9
cash cow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: oxford, michigan Posts: 184	i've had a cinnamon clown for over 22 years.......don't know how old he was before i had him!!! take good care of them and they might even out-live you!!!

09/08/2008, 05:04 PM	#10
taku Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orlando. FL Posts: 536	wow!!!! Do you have a picture of the old guy?

09/08/2008, 06:28 PM	#12
cash cow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: oxford, michigan Posts: 184	sorry no pics taku.........he's about 4 inches long and he orniry as all get out... he's getting mean