How long tropical fish live

Few reference books include answers to one of the most common questions asked by fish owners. How long should my fish live? The answer varies greatly depending on the species of fish. However, in general, smaller fish have a shorter lifespan than larger fish, and fish that lay eggs live longer than those that give birth to live young.

The two most popular species of fish—bettas and goldfish—are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Bettas on average live little more than two years , while goldfish may live for decades. Keep in mind that with good care , aquarium fish can live much longer; on the other hand, fish that are not kept in the proper habitat and are not cared for properly will likely have a shorter lifespan.

Killifish are among the aquarium fish with the shortest lifespan. They generally only live for a bit more than two years. Bettas are not far behind. For more in-depth information on Neon Tetras please visit our complete guide to keeping neon tetras.

Image Credits flickr. They are recognized as a standard tropical fish for every aquarist to own. These graceful fish grow up to 8 inches and can be appreciated in a varied range of shades and patterns. They are very hardy and easy going but can be semi-aggressive from time to time. They will need a tank of 55 gallons of water as a minimum, moderate current flows, floating, driftwood, and broadleaf plants.

They do, however, prefer slow-moving water with dim lighting and downed branches, as is in the wild. It is possible to place them with larger tetras, rainbowfish, catfish etc. Catering to their semi-aggressive temperament they should be kept singly or in a large school which diminishes their aggression. Their nutrition requirements are that of an omnivore times a day including worm, small crustaceans, shrimp pellets, marine algae, frozen live foods etc.

We hope that you have seen some fish in this article that attracts you to starting your own aquarium. We think most of these fish are suitable for a fishkeeping beginner although they are not all suitable to be kept in the same aquarium. In their own right, they are all amazing fish and will help you enjoy and be successful in starting and maintaining your first aquarium. We have a complete guide for you to read which we think will help you make some of the basic decisions when it comes to setting up and stocking your first aquarium.

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To give your fish the best chance at living a full life, follow these recommendations: Stick to a schedule. Fish, like most animals, fare best when their world runs on a fairly predictable timetable.

Avoid stress for your fish by keeping a consistent schedule for issues such as feeding, hours of light and water changes. Beware of frenemies. Even fish who should be compatible with others can turn into bullies. Bullying is a common problem among fish. Fish can become bullies if they feel their territory is threatened or if they are defending nesting areas. To ward off bullying, provide lots of space and hiding areas in your tank.

A fish that is being bullied and cannot hide will become stressed and prone to illness. Rearranging your tank might slow down the bullying behavior as the fish will re-establish territories. Monitor water chemistry. Keep a checklist and monitor factors such as pH level, temperature and ammonia in your tank. In a closed system, if something goes unchecked, the lives of your fish could be compromised. Practice disease prevention.