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Average Lifespan of Various Fishes

Many aquarists often wonder just how long their fish will live, if properly cared for. Below is a list of average lifespans for a number of fish, both freshwater and marine inhabiting.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and many factors go into determining how long each species could live.

Fish FamilyExamplesLifespan in years
Freshwater
Coldwater CyprindaeGoldfish, Koi10-30
CobitidaeLoaches10
CichlidaeOscars, Convicts7-15
CallichthyidaeArmoured catfishes7-15
Large CharacidaePacus, Leporinus'7-10
Large Cyprinidae"Sharks", Flying Fox7-10
Small CharacidaeTetras4-6
Small CyprinidaeSmall Barbs, Danios4
PoeciliidaeGuppies, Platies3-5
AnabantidaeGouramis, Betas2.5-7
CyprinodontidaeKillifishes1
Marine
PlatacidaeBatfishes11-17
ScorpaenidaeLionfish11-16
BalistidaeTriggerfishes6-10
OsctraciidaeBoxfishes, Cowfish6-12
AmphiprionidaeDamselfishes5-10
ChaetodontidaeButterflyfishes, Angels5-12
SyngnathidaeSea Horses2-5