FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have often wondered why it is not easy to find information about how long your fish are supposed to live. I mean, I know you can find life span estimates out there if you go searching for them specifically, but on most of the sites that contain good (or "better, or even "the best" ) profile information there is not likely anything to tell you how long to expect your new buddies to live for you once you bring them home...

Once you're done fainting over the fact that Littlecatjoe has once again seemingly popped out from under the UGF plate of the forgotten tank in the corner of the basement, lemme know what you think.....

I think the main problem is that how long your fish are supposed to live is so incredibly variable.

First up, it depends on genetics of the particular strain, then if its wild caught or tank-bred, male or female, if you breed it or not, or if you feed it a high protien/low protein/unbalanced/balanced diet, what temperature that you keep it at, and the biggie; how old it is when you purchase it.

I think you could probably display 'average lifespan in aquaria in ideal conditions', and have an age range or something. I reckon if you get too specific, or just said 'lifespan' without specifying 'in aquaria' that would be even more inaccurate.

I actually thought we had that? Goes to show how often I look up profiles


BTW, its nicer out here than under the UGF plate Less sludge. Most days, anyhoo

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I have a few pages of life expectancies at home, if you want i can post them for ya Lisa.

Thanks Tim, I actually have 3 online places that I go to look up this stuff for myself. I just think it would be nice if you didn't have to go look for it specifically- you know? I mean, if you are looking up information on dogs, one of the things they always mention is that a dog is a long-term commitment of at least 10 years so you should be absolutely sure you want one... Now with fish, I realise that it is awfully easy to get rid of them once the novelty has worn off and all, but maybe people would think twice about getting that little goldfish if estimated life spans of 10-15 years were listed wherever they looked for information...

This whole thing really started as I was in the Pet Store and was watching this guy trying to talk his parents into letting him have a Betta. His main arguement was that it could be kept in a little bowl and that it wasn't like fish live for a long time anyway. The Pet Store guy told him that they usually live for 2 years or so and the guys parents said that was too long, that he'd lose interest and the fish would die from neglect.. A happy ending for all I'm sure.