Damsel and Chromis Lifespan Survey

[Zionas]

Mmmm I’m in Guangzhou. I’ll try contacting them but..... maybe they won’t ship. I see lots of Altantic species not available in the mainland.

 

[Haydn]

3 species of Chromis, Green (suspect C. viridis), Half and half (C. iomelas) and C vandervelt total 28 fish. Stocked in January 2010 I think there were 15 green, 6 H&H, the rest Vandervelts.

The Vandervelts never really settled, I think my tank was too 'busy' for them to thrive. The Greens survived with just a couple of losses until Jan 2016 when my PBT went rogue and murdered them. The H&H were moved on when I closed the tank later in 2016.

 

[Zionas]

Wow all for 10 years already! Nice!

 

[ca1ore]

I have kept damsels for a decade on multiple occasions. I have bunch of yellow-tails in my tank, one of which was bought in 2013. I think the original is still there, so 7 years old.

 

[Zionas]

That’s awesome. I don’t think they’re short lived considering they’re related to the Clowns. Which species have you kept for over 10 years?

 

[ThRoewer]

That’s awesome. I don’t think they’re short lived considering they’re related to the Clowns. Which species have you kept for over 10 years?

Their relationship to Amphiprion species doesn't really say much as Amphiprion species are outliers due to their unique lifestyle. This article (An extraordinary life span estimate for the clown anemonefish Amphiprion percula) also provides some lifespans of other Damselfish:

Among other things size and habitat temperature range (tropical or temperate) predict the lifespan. Large temperate species usually get older than small tropicals.
Amphiprion species get 2 to 3 times as old as they should get based on their size and temperature range.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I had my yellowtail damsel for 5 years. It never got any bigger.

 

[Zionas]

How big was it when you got it and did it pass away from old age?

 

[Zionas]

Thanks for the info. What lifespan would you expect for most Chrysiptera species?

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

She was 2 inches at purchase and stayed that size. Died when my pump shorted out

 

[Zionas]

She could have lived significantly longer. RIP. Tech failures suck!

 

[Zionas]

Just to clarify what does the article mean “all else being equal?”

 

[ThRoewer]

Thanks for the info. What lifespan would you expect for most Chrysiptera species?

Anything between 5 and 15 years.
However, it all doesn't help you much if you don't know how old the fish is when you get it. Also, many that go under Chrysiptera belong actually to different genera.
Furthermore, few fish ever die of old age, not in the ocean and certainly even less so in captivity.

 

[TvanB1]

1. What species is it / was it?
C. viridis

2. Size at time of purchase?
1”

3. How long did it live / has it lived for you? (If dead, how did it die?)
Going on strong 7 years.

4. Any tips / secrets for keeping them long term?
High quality food, secure lid, and peaceful tank mates.

He’s actually the first saltwater fish ive ever had, so I try to take very good care of him. Still going strong. He actually hasn’t grown much over the years - only about 1/2”.

 

[Zionas]

Nice!

 

[Zionas]

What are your thoughts of having a pair of Yellowtails and a single Azure in a 70 gallon 3-foot tank? Would there be too much competition for territory? Or maybe another kind of Damsel like a Lemon or Neon to go with the Yellowtail pair?

 

[Ben Pedersen]

Are they still alive today? How big were they when you got them?

I have one of the old ones left. One died, the other lost an eye but recovered and is doing well. I know the one eyed fish is a male. He used to spawn with the other fish until she died (about 1.5 years ago). The fish that Is still alive love nori.

They all started at 1.5“. I originally purchased 9. Let me see if I can find some photos of when I first purchased them. Then will take a current photo.