How do you know your fish is getting old?

Ive been observing my luitenant tang closely and he seems to have gotten thinner, and he has some dark spots on his tail..

His appetite seems to be a little less than it used to, but it could be just me... He still seems to eat a lot... ?

He is still very active... He has been with me for almost a year and a half. And he already had the adult streamer fins when I got him.

 

excellent question!
i look forward to the answers. have been wondering the same about my clownfish recently, must have had him at least 3 years now

 

With regard to the tang, I would be more concerned about internal parasites than old age. I have heard of tangs living for 10 years.

Clowns can live along time member Vinny had one for about 2 decades I believe.

 

Well considering I got it when he had his adult strimmers... I thought Maybe he already had 4 years or so.. Since he was already big too...

And plus one more year with me that's 5... Idk just a thought..

His poop looks ok... What other signs can I look for internal parasites other than skinny? And white stringy poop.

 

I know of a pair that are 28 years old and are still pretty active - they look a little long in the tooth though.

 

fish can live a long time... an old man at our country club has a pair of clownfish, a few tangs, and a foxface that are around 24 years old and the tank is 35 years old...

 

Very interesting.. I hope my fish live that long!!

 

they start to ask for Medicare and social security applications???

 

Count the candles on their birthday cake.