My Synodontis nigriventris is 10 years old and still going strong. Also had a betta I got as an adult that lived for 5 years. So I definitely don’t have the longest living fish, but maybe some of the longest living species.
I have 8 silver dollars (Metynnis spp.). Three of them are Metynnis maculatus and are ~22 year olds; their life expectancy is several decades. I rescued them in 2017 in very poor shape; they have improved tremendously and are going strong. Couple of photos attached, 1st some month after arrival (2017, with horrible ex-ophthalmy (buggy-eyed) and patches on his body), second pic in May 2020. Cheers!
Family illness, a bad fall requiring two surgeries with complications, hand therapy for over a year. I've learned new things the last several years--complex regional pain syndrome, stellate ganglion blocks... While I will always have deficits with my right hand and wrist, I was optimistic that 2021 would be the year the tank gets finished after no progress for 3 years. Twenty minutes into 2021 I had another fall requiring a trip to the ER for wound closure. Eleven stitches later in my already very compromised right hand, I left the ER. Still hoping 2021 is the year the tank gets finished.
The pacu joined our family in the summer of 2005, so they are at least 16 years old. The mother of all yard sale finds: 55 gallon tank with fish for $85.
Poor fish have been stuck in their way too small 300 gallon tank for such a long time. We manage to keep the nitrates down with massive water changes. really hoping I can finish their tank this year.
I need to be home, and I need to be able to use my right hand.
Our fish have such great personalities and need their big home.
pacu mom Sorry to hear about your difficulties. The past couples years have been tough for you. I would be more than happy to take that tank off your hands for free so you don't have the stress of it just sitting there?
I wish I had the patience and will to make my 600g tank look as good as yours does.