Mine lasted 7 months. Ate aiptasia, worms, and live rock pods from day one, but never dried and RARELY frozen foods. He was always eating until he ate up all my pods! Because I was unable to replenish my pods, and have no access to raw mussels / clams where I live, he eventually died. Only this week did I discover live black worms in my region (I'm not in USA). I think I"ll try again but keep the butterfly in QT until he starts eating prepared foods. I will say that he ate every single aiptasia in my DT . . . after 2-3 months, I"m starting to see them return.