The 5 Longest-Living Aquarium Fish
Trisha Chakraborty | TimesPets Bureau | Jul 31, 2025, 09:30 IST
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Highlight of the story: When people think of pet fish, they usually assume they won’t stick around for long. But some aquarium fish can actually live for decades yes, decades! This article dives into five amazing species that aren’t just pretty to look at, but can also become long-term companions if given the right care. From the misunderstood goldfish to the majestic koi and the playful clown loach, these fish prove that tank life doesn’t have to be short-lived. If you're looking for pets that grow with you , these are the underwater friends worth knowing.
When we talk about pet fish, the very first thing you probably think of is that they are water change sensitive finicky eaters and, frankly, not always necessarily with the longest life span. But if you're one of those people who equate, you'll be happy to hear that not all aquarium fish are temporary inhabitants. Yessiree, some are meant to stick around.
Whether you are a tank novice or an experienced old salt looking for a marathon-running buddy for the fish that is doing the same, then these five long-running fish will have your breathless. From multi-colored best buddies to mysterious sea old timers, here's your list of fish that do not just survive but thrive for years.
Goldfish: More Than a Child's Faze
Golden Oldie of the Aquar
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Let's start with an oldie. We've all had goldfish, those orange friends we won at the carnival or had in glass tanks when we were a child. But here's something that most people do not know: goldfish are not faze pets. If you treat them reasonably well, they'll live 15 to 30 years. That's right. The reason why so many goldfish do not live beyond a year in average home environments is that they are generally kept in small, unfiltered, and unheated bowls. Goldfish are messy eaters, create oceans of crap, and require filtered, oxygenated water. In a good-sized tank with regular changes and filtering of water, goldfish will outlive you until grade school, college, the workplace, and perhaps even children.
Fun fact? The oldest known goldfish lived for 43 years. That's longer than some marriages.
Koi: The Gentle Giants of Backyard Ponds
Koi Elegance
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Closely related to goldfish, koi are stunning, majestic creatures that often dwell in outdoor ponds. They’re not typically indoor aquarium fish, but if you’ve got a large enough tank or a garden pond, they deserve a spot on this list. Why? Because koi aren’t just long-living they’re generational. Some of the koi live into their 30s, and under the best conditions, some of the koi will quite happily live 50 years plus. There is even one famous koi, ultimately one of them called Hanako, which lived to the good old age of 226 years old, as confirmed by testing on their scales which attested it. Alright, alright, that's a rather extreme exception, but it's proof of what they can be.". Koi are pleasant, peaceful, and most folks claim that they know human faces and can be hand-fed. They're not fish, they turn back-yard pets with attitude.
Plecostomus: The Never-Stop Janitors
Clown Loach: The Social Butterflies That Grow With You
Angelfish: Elegant Survivors with Attitude
Angelfish Grace
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Don't be deceived by their stylish, flowing fins, angelfish are durable, clever, and long-lived. With proper care in the tank and good conditions, angelfish will live 10 to 15 years, and more in some instances. They are cichlid relatives and, as cousins to each other, would otherwise fightful or aggressive with one another unless given a proper environment. But the zaniness and cuteness of theirs have the ability to make them the center of freshwater aquariums. They even grow up to the masters and know your coming near the tank. They will simply be wonderful if their water parameters are stable and they are given a rich diet. They acquire idiosyncrasies and mannerisms with age and turn into underwater cats and not production-line tank trinkets.
More Than Just Pets
If you are among those people who would want to have several months with your aquatic pet, spending money on high-quality setups, research, and upkeep on these animals is understandable. Because if your fish welcomes you at the glass after five or ten years, then you would know that you did not just keep them alive, you gave them life. And they shared a part of yours as well in return.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which aquarium fish lives the longest?
Koi fish are among the longest-living, often surviving over 30 years.Can goldfish live for decades?
Yes, with proper care, goldfish can live up to 30 years or more.Do clown loaches need to be kept in groups?
Yes, clown loaches are social and thrive best in small groups.