Do Aquarium Fish Live Longer Than They Do In The Wild?

[akhtar2]

I was thinking about whether aquarium fish have a longer life-span than wild fish of the same species.

I reckon they live longer due to better water conditions, regular food etc, am i right?

 

[hollanda88]

I was thinking about whether aquarium fish have a longer life-span than wild fish of the same species.

I reckon they live longer due to better water conditions, regular food etc, am i right?

Better water conditions is questionable, but they proberbly do due to a lack of predation. Also weak fish get the oppertunity to feed whereas the wild counter parts don't. However, line breedin and in breeding of fish for colour, fin length and other cosmetical traits enevitably lowers the fitness of the animals and results in a reduced breeding sucess and life span.

andrew

 

[Davo86]

It depends on species i guess,
I would doubt common plecos live for anywhere as near as long in an aquarium as they would do in the wild.

 

[Loony Fish]

It depends on species i guess,
I would doubt common plecos live for anywhere as near as long in an aquarium as they would do in the wild.

i agree, for example
Neon Tetra would be food if a few weeks, can live a few years in tanks

 

[kribensis12]

Depends. If you throw the fish into a tank with no heater, filter or food, then probably not. But, assumming you take care of it properly, then yes. First off, more fry make it in batches, as you can sperate them from the parents and other fish. Then, you provide them with food. They don't have to scour the river for food, when their owner just drops it in the tank. Then, they get treated with medicines. Those defionatley prolong the life of the fish.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Well I have heard a lot of animals will live longer in captivity then in the wild, although I am not sure about fish.

Fish have can get stunted in a small tank which lowers life span. They cannot have the clean water and best food nature gives the fish.

I read an article once that said when fish do not like each other and fight it will lower their life span a lot. This is because fighting doesn't happen as much in the wild. If two fish don't like each other one will be chased, a quick rush of adrenaline thus making heart rate quicken. After the fish is chased off he will be left for good by the other fish and he goes on his merry way, adrenaline rush goes away and heart rate is back to normal. Because fish cannot 'go away' in an aquarium, all the fighting and abnormally increased heart rate will age the fish faster and thus lower it's life span.

 

[blue acara]

If aquarium conditions are good most fish will live longer in captivity due to predation not being a factor, im guessing.

 

[Super Dude]

not if their in my tank. jk

 

[Colin_T]

not if their in my tank. jk

lol, I was going to say something similar.
Like they should but they don't in mine

Generally they will live for longer in captivity due to a number of factors. No predators, regular feeding, stabile environment and medication when needed. Good water quality should be on there but it depends on how often people do water changes and gravel cleans on their tanks. Generally tho, the fish have more water in the wild than they do in captivity and this means it will be cleaner for longer. With the exception of rivers around cities, which are disgusting.

 

[saz326]

here's another angle - can the species that people have in their tanks actually be found in the wild?

Many fancy goldfish would not do well in the wild, neither would fancy guppies (look at the diferences between fancy ones and wild ones)