Have you ever asked yourself how long fish live for? With more than 30,000 species existing in the world, fish are very diverse and some make great pets.
How long fish live varies extensively by type of fish and ecosystem, for instance:
Koi fish live for 30 to 40 years in the wild and can live up to 70 years in captivity.
Molly fish have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years as pets, and 5 years in the wild.
Pufferfish have an average lifespan of 10 years both in the wild and in captivity.
Before we go into the details on the average lifespan of fish, here are some fun facts;
- Some fish species have impressive memories as they can trace their way back home after many months.
- Sharks are one of the smartest fish species; shark embryos can even sense danger!
How Long Do Fish Live?
Here is a summary of the average lifespans of common types of fish.
| Average lifespan of fish in the Wild | Average lifespan of fish as pets | |
| Betta | 3 years | 3-5 years |
| Koi/Coy | 30 to 40 years | 70 years |
| Molly | 5 years | 3-5 years |
| Puffer | 10 years | 10 years |
| Guppy | 2 years | 2-5 years |
| Oscar | 18 years | 8-12 years |
| Sucker | 15-20 years | 10-20 years |
| Tetra | 8-10 years | 2-5 years |
| Feeder | 10-15 years | 30-40 years |
| Parrot fish | 5-7 years | 10-15 years |
| Pleco fish | 10-15 years | 15+ years |
| Neon | 5-10 years | 2-3 years |
| Silver dollar | 10 years | 10+ years |
| Flying fish | 5 years | 8 to 10 years |
| Gourami | 5 to 7 years | 3 to 4 years |
| Angelfish | 10 years | 15 years |
We can see from the above illustration that fish have varying lifespans depending on the species.
Most fish species live longer in captivity because of protection from predators, and access to enough food but a few others thrive better in the wild.
In the wild, fish face many threats and challenges such as predators, diseases, and drought.
Human activities have greatly affected the fish population in the wild. Over-fishing and oil spills are some of the top reason why fish die early.
In this next section, we will take a deeper look into the lifespan of Koi fish, Molly fish, Puffer fish, Oscar, Sucker and Tetra fish.
1. How Long Do Koi Fish Live?
The Koi fish, also known as coy, live for 30 to 40 years in the wild and up to 70 years as pets. They are originally from Japan. The longest living Koi fish was called Hanako who lived for 226 years.
Koi fish are known to live long given the right environment of clean water, adequate food and of course the right temperatures.
Several factors affect the lifespan of koi fish in captivity such as:
- Environment – They need to be kept in large ponds to ensure they live longer.
- Water quality – The water that Koi are kept should be free of ammonia, chlorine, and nitrates to protect them from any bacterial infections.
- Diet – Ensure the Koi get a balanced diet of proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Do not overfeed the Koi fish.
- Oxygen and PH levels – Lack of enough oxygen easily kills Koi fish. Ensure they get enough oxygen by getting rid of any algae in the water. Maintain a PH level of between 7.0 and 8.6 by keeping a proper filtration system.
- Genetics – Japan is where the Koi originated from. They produce the best Koi fish as compared to domestic koi. This means Japanese bred Koi have longer lifespans.
- Wintering – Koi naturally survive in cold environments as they originated from Japan that is a winter country. They need low temperatures to hibernate in the winter season. This will maximize Koi fish lifespans.
2. How Long Do Molly Fish Live
Molly fish have a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years as pets and 5 years in the wild.
Male mollies have shorter lifespans as compared to females. They are much smaller hence are easily attacked by predators.
Molly fish are loved by many people because of their different colors and calm nature. They are cross-bred to produce different colors and species.
Some of the common factors that affect the lifespans of molly fish are; food, size of the aquarium, heaters, and filters. Mollies are omnivorous feeding on both small insects and plants.
To ensure mollies live longer the water should be filtered continuously to get rid of any bacteria that would potentially kill the fish.
3. How Long Do Puffer Fish Live
Pufferfish have an average lifespan of 10 years both in the wild and as pets.
They are known to be the most poisonous fish in the sea. [1]
This fish is named for how it defends itself by inflating itself with water, making it look larger than it normally is.
Pufferfish are predators in the wild who feast on snails, crustaceans, and shellfish. When kept as pets, one should ensure that they get a diet almost the same as what they have in the wild.
They can eat live, frozen food though they have to be quarantined to avoid infections. They need an experienced owner as they need proper care.
Pufferfish are not social hence should be kept alone.
4. Average Lifespan of Oscar Fish
Oscar fish live for 8 to 12 years in captivity and up to 18 years in the wild.
As with all the other fish species, to increase their lifespans one should ensure they get the right diet, adequate tank space, and the correct water temperatures.
In the wild, due to their aggressive nature, some Oscars die very early. As pets, Oscars need a balanced diet of live food and pellets. Oscars grow quite big hence need a sizeable tank to accommodate them.
Oscar fish can grow quite big and they are very territorial. This means one should handle them carefully as pets.
Suckerfish have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years in captivity. In the wild, they live for 15 to 20 years.
5. Sucker fish
They live longer in the wild as compared to in captivity. They do not breed well in aquariums hence their short lifespans as pets.
6. Tetra fish
Tetra fish have a lifespan of 2 to 5 years in captivity. However, they live for 8 to 10 years in the wild. They tend to live longer in the wild as compared to in captivity.
Tetra fish are social animals that love being in groups. In the wild, the environment is better for them hence the longer lifespan.
When kept as pets, tetra fish need a varied diet of pellets, flakes, and live food. They are omnivorous hence enjoy both meat and plant matter. Ensure the water is always clean and filtered to prevent any infections.
Since tetra fish tend to live longer in the wild, the best way to increase their lifespans as pets is to mimic their natural habitat. They get stressed in an environment of confinement. Provide hiding spots for them to ensure they relax.
How Long Do Fish Live Out Of Water?
Fish can stay out of water for an average of 10 minutes. Some can stay longer than this especially if they have special adaptations to allow them to survive out of water.
Freshwater fish have weaker respiratory systems hence survive for much less time than their salty water relatives.
If the fish lands on a surface with some water, it can survive for a few more minutes. Some fish such as Mangrove rivulus and the Walking catfish can survive out of water. [2]
How Long Do Fish Live Without Food?
Fish can live for a maximum of 1 week without food.
This duration can vary depending on the fish species and if whether the fish is in captivity or out in the wild.
In the wild, fish can survive longer without food as they do not get a daily supply of food. Big fish like sharks can survive longer as they store fat for emergency use.
Fish kept as pets should be fed regularly but can survive for 2 to 3 days without food.
Conclusion
Fish have many abilities that make them excellent pets. Before considering keeping them as pets, it’s important to learn about their lifespans. This will ensure you take good care of your lifetime partner.
