Question regarding lifespan

[grumpy55]

What is the normal lifespan for apistogramma and Mikrogeophagus ?

Thank-you.

 

[Mike Wise]

In 1991 Römer studied this question. His results showed that the average life span of an apisto in captivity was 18 - 24 months. Much depends on how the fish are maintained, fed, and bred. My own experience is that if apistos are well fed, but not overfed, get regular water changes, and forced to breed only 2 - 3 time per year that they will easily live 3 years and some over 5 years. I haven't really kept Rams for many years, but in the dim past I have had Rams that lived 4 - 5 years.

 

[grumpy55]

Thank-you Mike !

 

[KenL]

I haven't really kept Rams for many years, but in the dim past I have had Rams that lived 4 - 5 years.

I struggle to keep Rams alive for very long. Even ones that look really healthy
do not live long for me :frown:

I haven't bought a ram for a long time for this reason.

Along with Apistos, Aphyosemions are quite short lived. I have though, got a pair of A.australe (gold) and A.striatum which are probably about 2.5 years old.