Boulengerochromis microlepis (Emperor cichlids) are the exception in the cichlid world, although they are arguable the largest cichlids in the world (over 36"), they normally only live 3 years, and grow at an incredibly fast rate. Much like salmon, once they spawn and raise the young, they die,.
There was a dovii, named Pablo that was supposedly one of the first dovii brought to the US, and owned by Guy Jordan that lived decades and reached over 24 ", died in 1978.
I don't understand why is seems surprising that a cichlid like umbriferus that reaches @ 30" could live 30 years.
I have had many much smaller cichlids live 10 years in my tanks.
