Clownfish Lifespan?

[MartyF]

I just realized I’ve had my Clownfish for about 3 years now. I got them when they were pretty small so I’m guessing they were around 6 months when I got them so they might be as old as 4. They are black & white Ocellaris. They are perfectly happy and healthy but I was wondering what their captive lifespan is?

 

[Breadman03]

People have kept clowns into their 30's.

 

[Captain Quint]

I have a mated pair ~12 years of age which is still young. Lifespans are 25 years plus if the tank is kept in order.

 

[Dsnakes]

@Paul B has some fish that used to swim with dinosaurs they’ve got a good lifespan when kept happy!

 

[davocean]

I 've seen a number of posts of clowns over 30 years

 

[mort]

20-30 years is possible for those with good genetics. I doubt many of the newer designer clowns would last anywhere near that potential.
Mass produced clowns seen to be more in the 10 years or so ball park. Still pretty good though.

 

[davocean]

I'm not sure tank bred or designers have been around long enough to really tell yet, and probably depends on breeder and overall health.
I think they could live just as long if healthy and tank runs w/out issues.

 

[mort]

My tank bred clowns lasted to 12 years and the research I did at the time showed that was about right for tank bred. They were normal ocellaris which have been massed produced for far longer than we think. The designers are less common but they have been bred well over 10 years now and the more strains that come out, the further from strong healthy genetics you get.

 

[davocean]

My tank bred clowns lasted to 12 years and the research I did at the time showed that was about right for tank bred. They were normal ocellaris which have been massed produced for far longer than we think. The designers are less common but they have been bred well over 10 years now and the more strains that come out, the further from strong healthy genetics you get.

Well, keep in mind we've gotten better at this along the way, but really for the length of their lifespan it's still early on.
We also have to factor in user error among fish keepers and breeders that may put out less than desireable health clowns for sake of profit, possibly not culling back enough, inbreeding, but I still think responsible breeding can produce healthy long living clowns.

 

[tp5056]

I’ve had my pair since 2005 from a hobbyist who was quitting the hobby .. so I’d guess my pair are 13+ years now!

 

[Captain Quint]

My tank bred clowns lasted to 12 years and the research I did at the time showed that was about right for tank bred. They were normal ocellaris which have been massed produced for far longer than we think. The designers are less common but they have been bred well over 10 years now and the more strains that come out, the further from strong healthy genetics you get.

These two have been together for 12 years thus far.

The ORA Platinum is one of the originals when they came out at $750 a pop (now they cost next to nothing) and her mate is one of Doni-Maries Snowcassa's. I'm sad she retired from breeding them several years back.

Snapped a couple of pics of them just now. Yes, they are fat and happy and I love them.

 

[mort]

Well, keep in mind we've gotten better at this along the way, but really for the length of their lifespan it's still early on.
We also have to factor in user error among fish keepers and breeders that may put out less than desireable health clowns for sake of profit, possibly not culling back enough, inbreeding, but I still think responsible breeding can produce healthy long living clowns.

I completely agree that responsible breeding can create a fish with great longevity, near to or longer than natural fish. My point and it's possibly because I'm considering average rather than best case or possible scenarios, is that with a further distance from pure strains (whether by selective breeding, inbreeding, breeding of less than perfect specimens etc) it's likely the health of the fish will suffer. We might not be anywhere near the problems associated with freshwater fish yet but I've personally seen lots of problems with tank bred clowns through my time in the industry. This has been the case for numerous lfs across the country and was with clowns bred by reputable companies in the states (a whole other thread). It would never stop me buying them and once again i agree the level of care they recieve is a big part of how long you could potentially have them.

 

[Captain Quint]

I completely agree that responsible breeding can create a fish with great longevity, near to or longer than natural fish. My point and it's possibly because I'm considering average rather than best case or possible scenarios, is that with a further distance from pure strains (whether by selective breeding, inbreeding, breeding of less than perfect specimens etc) it's likely the health of the fish will suffer. We might not be anywhere near the problems associated with freshwater fish yet but I've personally seen lots of problems with tank bred clowns through my time in the industry. This has been the case for numerous lfs across the country and was with clowns bred by reputable companies in the states (a whole other thread). It would never stop me buying them and once again i agree the level of care they recieve is a big part of how long you could potentially have them.

Very interesting observation and I get what you're saying. Make good sense. Thanks for the thread and great discussion.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Personally from my experience, the designer clowns tend to look great as their young, but as they mature their bodies become more and more misshapen and deformed. I saw a big thunder maroon clown at nearly 4” and it was sad how messed up the poor thing looked.

Meanwhile I have a wild caught female maroon who’s nearly 4” also and is beautiful. A work of nature (literally).

I am not against captive bred clowns at all. And I have no doubt that captive bred clowns can’t live the full 25+ years. Normal colored ones probably can and will, same with some basic/natural morphs like the black and white, snowflake, and maybe even the lighting. However when you start to get into the crazier morphs like the “peacemaker” maroon clownfish out there that’s when things start getting crazy....

 

[Captain Quint]

Personally from my experience, the designer clowns tend to look great as their young, but as they mature their bodies become more and more misshapen and deformed. I saw a big thunder maroon clown at nearly 4” and it was sad how messed up the poor thing looked.

Meanwhile I have a wild caught female maroon who’s nearly 4” also and is beautiful. A work of nature (literally).

I am not against captive bred clowns at all. And I have no doubt that captive bred clowns can’t live the full 25+ years. Normal colored ones probably can and will, same with some basic/natural morphs like the black and white, snowflake, and maybe even the lighting. However when you start to get into the crazier morphs like the “peacemaker” maroon clownfish out there that’s when things start getting crazy....

I'm not arguing the point and somewhat agree, however, I had a GSM female for about 14 years and was wild caught but her body certainly had achieved a different appearance from when she was younger. Kind of like my body isn't quite the way it was 40 years ago at the age of 21. lol

Edit: BTW, I gave her to a friend 7 years ago and she is still with him. Putting her to be at least a bit over 21 years old.

 

[Mical]

I have a mated pair coming up on 10 years with BTAs that are 10 also

 

[MIKE NY]

These guys are well over 20 years old ....

 

[MURedhawk]

I’ve had my clown fish pair for about 6 years and they were not small when I got them (already paired).
The fish store owner said he had a pair in a customer’s tank in a school that were over 30 years old.

 

[palmer]

I have a tank raised clown thats 20 yrs old- had a pair of vicious maroon clown that were 12 yrs old before I traded them in

 

[mochaclownlover]

I didn’t get my clowns at the same time so they are different ages. Pretty sure my female is wild caught and my male is captive bred. My female is almost 6yrs and my male is almost 4.