How Long Do Dwarves Live?

[annka5]

How long can I expect dwarf gourami to live for, assuming that they live in a good-sized well maintained tank with balanced diet?
Anyone know how long they should live, and like to share how long yours lived for?
Thanks!

 

[annka5]

OK... No-one know? How about how long your's has lived for?

 

[sylvia]

The should live for 5 years (approximately). In practice, few reach the age of 2. This is mainly due to the unscrupulous mass-production and in-breeding that has occured, causing a deterioration in the fish' immune systems and making them far more susceptible to disease.

 

[annka5]

Ok, thank you!I've had mine for about 2 years, but is beginning to look a bit off - nothing specific, just duller colours and not so active. Wasn't sure if it was a symptom of something or just age. He's in a 260 litre tank with 16 cardinals and 3 cory. Water stats 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 6.5, soft water. Am going to be adding more fish to the tank later, but obviously didn't want to until he was looking healthier.