Keeping up with an aqua-genarian: How old is the oldest fish that you have kept?

[Peace River]

Keeping up with an aqua-genarian: How old is the oldest fish that you have kept?

Some fish complete a full life span in a few months and other fish can live over a hundred years. Typically, a fish that lives for 15-20 years in an aquarium has lived a very full, long life such as the 20-year-old clownfish in the accompanying picture that belongs to an R2R member, Andre Takahashi. Of course, the species of fish matters significantly to their life span as well as the care and companions. Many times, we may not know the exact age of the fish in our care because we didn’t receive them when they were young, but we may be able to estimate or at least in many cases know how long we have cared for the fish. How old is the oldest fish that you have kept? Do you have any tips to share that may be helpful for extending the life of a fish such as the food, water temperature, or some other factor? If so, let us know in the related discussion!

Photo by @Andre_Takahashi; Reef of the Month January 2024


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self-sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

 

[Cthulukelele]

Old man watchman goby was already full grown when I got him 6ish years ago. He's probably 7. Earned that grumpy old man face.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Puffy is my oldest fish. I’ve had him for almost five years, and he was about 5” long when I got him. He has been through ich, velvet, and flukes. Even got accidentally pulled out of the tank onto the floor when he bit my finger and latched on while feeding. Tough as nails. My buddy Big Puffs!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Van Gogh.

my Blue Hippo Tang. Now officially 11 years old.

 

[Fin]

Copperband Butterfly - 16 years. It was still doing great until a 22 day power outage, post Hurricane Laura.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Van Gogh.

my Blue Hippo Tang. Now officially 11 years old.

So nice to see a hippo tang success story for once

 

[DIYreefer]

I have a clownfish that's older than my oldest child, she's 17. I also have a yellow tang that is likely 15ish years old. I don't recall exsctly when I got it, but it has definitely been well over a decade ago.

 

[Alexraptor]

My current Ocellaris clown is my oldest SW fish, I've had him for 12 years, and he's outlived his mate by balf that, she had to be euthanized after a bout with an intestinal parasite. Guess that probably makes him a her now.

 

[littlefoxx]

My female clownfish named Vegas is 10! Rescued her a couple months ago when she was surrendered by the owner who had her since she was a baby.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Puffy is my oldest fish. I’ve had him for almost five years, and he was about 5” long when I got him. He has been through ich, velvet, and flukes. Even got accidentally pulled out of the tank onto the floor when he bit my finger and latched on while feeding. Tough as nails. My buddy Big Puffs!

Hi Puffy! Hewbie says hi and that you are adorable! How big of a tank is he in?

 

[KrisReef]

Can't say as I ever asked my fish for their I.D.'s when I bought them home.

I do have a Damsel that must be at least 10 years in my care? And a pair of Tomato Clowns that I got around the same time?

 

[Dburr1014]

Almost a 10 year royal Gramma.
2 pics, when I first took it in April 2014 and now.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

My darwin ocellaris clown pair was around 2" when I got them from one of the LFS near me. They were a trade in and already bonded so were for sale as a pair only. I picked them up as my first salt water fish in 2017. From what I've researched, 2" clowns are at least 2 years old, and Ive had them for 7. They are about 3 and 4" now.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Considering I have had my fish for less than a year, not that long haha

 

[Oiseaufeu]

My freshwater tank is almost 5 years old and my saltwater is 6 months old.

 

[i cant think]

Oldest currently a Magnificent Foxface at 5 years old.

However, altogether my oldest fish I’ve ever had was probably a 10 year old Coral Beauty. Not the best photo as he passed in 2019 during a tank transfer.

 

[therman]

I've got a flame angel that was nearly adult size when I purchased it in 2006...so probably at least 18 years old?

Also have a majestic angelfish purchased as a transitioned 3" juvenile in 2010.

 

[JonsNano]

I have a clownfish that's older than my oldest child, she's 17. I also have a yellow tang that is likely 15ish years old. I don't recall exsctly when I got it, but it has definitely been well over a decade ago.

I have one sole clownfish which is also older than both my children, I rescued her from my friends dads sump as she couldn’t go back in the main display due to a pair of maroons, this was around ten years ago.
I call her Maleficent and she does bite the hand that feeds her lol

 

[marcus aurelius]

Over 6 and counting. One of my purple tangs and female clown fish had made the move with me 400 miles.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Hi Puffy! Hewbie says hi and that you are adorable! How big of a tank is he in?

Hello there! Puffy is in a 135 gallon fowlr.