Which Freshwater Aquarium Fish Live Longest?

Because freshwater aquarium fish are often treated as disposable pets, they often live unnaturally short lives due to poor water conditions, excessive inbreeding, and malnutrition. Surprisingly to many freshwater aquarium fish owners, many species of aquarium fish are actually capable of living for decades.

The following popular aquarium fish are capable of living surprisingly long, healthy lives if properly cared for.

Goldfish (carassius auratus)

Due to the fact that goldfish are often kept in very poor conditions, goldifsh have a reputation for having extremely short lives. In fact, owing to the tendency of novice aquarists to keep goldfish in dirty, hypoxic bowls rather than properly maintained aquariums, many people erroneously believe that goldfish only live for a few weeks or months. However--shockingly-- healthy goldfish routinely live for ten to thirty years. The Guiness Book of World Records has even successfully confirmed the age of "Tish", a goldfish who is now forty-eight years old!

Bala Shark (balantiocheilus melanopterus)

The Bala Shark is a silver, egglaying cyprinid popular in community aquariums. Like the goldfish, it is widely misunderstood. Because pet-store bala shark individuals are usually no more than two inches when sold, many aquarists believe that this is the standard adult size of the species, when its adult size is usually a minimum of fourteen inches. When poorly cared for, the Bala Shark will have a longevity of no more than two years. However, well-kept individuals often have a lifespan ranging from ten to fifteen years.

Dojo Loach (misgurnus angullicaudatus)

A popular addition for community tanks, the dojo loach is an extremely hardy bottom-dwelling fish. Because it is native to very unhospitable regions of Japan, Thailand, and China, is has a remarkable ability to survive in very poor aquarium conditions. Poorly cared-for dojo loaches will still surprise their owners by living five to ten years, but well-kept specimins often live to be twenty or more.

Angelfish (pterophyllum altum)

The beautiful freshwater angelfish is popular because of its impressively long fins, round bodies, and beautiful patterns. Well-cared for angelfish have an average longevity of 8-10 years, although most live much shorter lives owing to poor aquarium conditions. Like many other fish species, the angelfish continues to grow throughout its life span, making the decade-old adults up to eight inches in length.

Bloodfin Tetra (aphyocharax anisitsi)

The bloodfin tetra is a lovely tetra species known for its pretty markings and active personality. These peaceful schooling fish are easy to care for. Throughout their life spans, bloodfin tetras remain forgiving of poor aquarium conditions. Because of their adaptability, they may live anywhere from eight years in poor conditions, to fifteen years with optimum care.

Neon Tetra (paracheirodon innesi)

One of the most popular fish for home aquariums, the neon tetra is a quick, active fish noted for its brilliantly glowing markings. The longevity of neon tetras is variable because some mass-bred strains are weaker than carefully bred individuals. While pet-store varieties of neon tetras may max out at only two years of age, properly bred and cared-for neon tetras often have life spans of ten yearas or more.

Plecostomus (hypostomus plecostomus)

The plecostomus (called a "pleco" by fans of the fish) is a term covering a range of long-lived catfish species. Casually known as a "sucker fish" because of its tendency to use its mouth to latch onto the side of an aquarium, these tough, hardy fish can survive in extremely poor conditions. Several species of plecostumus have been known to routinely live for fiftteen to twenty years, especially when cared for properly.

Oscar (stronotus ocellatus)

Popular because of their beautiful markings, intelligence, and strong-willed personalities, the oscar is a carnivorous cichlid known for being very high-maintenence. Owners of oscars are in for a challenge, since these striped creatures require live food, often jump out of tanks, and enjoy uprooting plants. However, the payoff is magnificent: oscars have an average lifespan of at least sixteen years.

Discus (symphysodon aequifasciatus)

Another fish species worth including in your will is the discus. The common discus is a variety of cichlid that features beautiful, marbled blue patterns and is a popular aquarium fish because of its beauty and longevity. The care and feeding of the discus can be a challenge, as with other cichlids, but they respond well to proper conditions. Both in the wild and in captivity, the discus is known to live fourteen to twenty years under ideal circumstances.

Jack Dempsey Cichlid (rocio octofasciata)

Cichlids never fail to amaze aquarists with their impresively long life spans, and the Jack Dempsey is not an exception--in fact, it may be the rule. Weighing in at a longevity of twenty years or more, these tough, aggressive fish are an unbeatable addtion to a long-lived aquarium. While their angry, predator attitudes make them a handful, they reward their owners by living long, healthy lives.

Proper care and maintenence of can lead to many years of life for several species of aquarium fish. Simply rejecting the notion that freshwater fish are disposable, flushable ornaments is the first step in guaranteeing longevity for your aquatic companions.