How long do fish live

[Jimmyneptune]

I have had a few dish die recently and I was wondering how long do fish live in a reef aquarium or salt water aquarium?
I had a yellow tang for 15 years that died a month ago and a flame wrasse that I found dead last night, which I had for 5 years. I replaced the tang and I am thinking about replacing wrasse, but their deaths got me wondering how long is an average or expected life span in an aquarium for different fish.

 

[ScubaFish802]

I have had a few dish die recently and I was wondering how long do fish live in a reef aquarium or salt water aquarium?
I had a yellow tang for 15 years that died a month ago and a flame wrasse that I found dead last night, which I had for 5 years. I replaced the tang and I am thinking about replacing wrasse, but their deaths got me wondering how long is an average or expected life span in an aquarium for different fish.

From my understanding Tangs can live 30+ years in the wild but in captivity it is generally less

 

[andrewkw]

5 years seems relatively long for a flame wrasse if, especially if you got him as a male / super male. Part of the reason I don't keep fairy wrasses anymore is most of them only lived less then 5 years for me, and these days they are quite expensive.

 

[smacbride]

I had a clown fish that lived in my tanks for over 30 years. But most fish I keep last several years. I tend to stay away from the more delicate fish because they don't last that long in captivity.

 

[vetteguy53081]

A very general question as it depends on tank condition, diet and overall health
I have a cleaner wrasse approaching 7 years
They generally last a year or two

 

[Miguel Negron]

I had a clownfish who lasted 5 years but can go even longer

 

[mort]

15 for a tang is a pretty good age. Some do live much longer but it can be hard to know how old they were when we bought them.
5 for that species of wrasse is also a fair age going by the same logic so it sounds like you have a nice environment for the fish to live a good life span.

 

[TvanB1]

Most fish rarely die from old age in captivity.
Clowns and tangs can easily reach 30+ years.
I would look out for diseases or other ailments before adding new fish.

 

[Jimmyneptune]

Thanks for all the answers guys!

 

[Jimmyneptune]

15 for a tang is a pretty good age. Some do live much longer but it can be hard to know how old they were when we bought them.
5 for that species of wrasse is also a fair age going by the same logic so it sounds like you have a nice environment for the fish to live a good life span.

I try to keep a good environment for my fish and if when they do die I try to find out if some condition I introduce to the tank that kills them.

 

[Jimmyneptune]

5 years seems relatively long for a flame wrasse if, especially if you got him as a male / super male. Part of the reason I don't keep fairy wrasses anymore is most of them only lived less then 5 years for me, and these days they are quite expensive.

I agree. I think the 5 year mark has been what I have been reaching for fairy wrasse. I wonder if other people have had fairy wrasse longer.