After many years of experience in freshwater fishkeeping, I started my saltwater aquarium hobby in 2018 by purchasing a pair clownfish.

Naturally, the Finding Nemo effect.

For a first-timer, I felt I did pretty well. My fish lived for around three years, and then died a few months apart. That was my assumption of the average lifespan for clownfishes.

You can only imagine my shock and horror when I learned that some clownfish owners have been keeping them for more than 30 years. Yes, 30. That’s right.

That was it! I searched the internet for answers, much like a needle in a haystack.

It was, frankly, confusing. Although most websites stated that the fish can live up to 3-10 years in captivity (most sites), I found several hobbyists who have celebrated their clownfish’s 20th and 30th birthdays.

I had to keep a lot of research journals. I was able to find the answers to my most pressing questions as well as interesting facts from there.

This article will explain how long clownfish can live in captivity or in the wild, what the average lifespan of various species of clownfish, and the secrets to their longevity.

My friend, it’s going be a long journey! Get ready.

How long do clownfish live?

On average, clownfish can live between 3-30 years. It is difficult to answer because there are many factors that affect their lifespan. These factors include the species, environment, diet, and company of the clownfish.

How long do clownfish live in captivity?

A properly maintained clownfish can live 3-10 year in captivity. If the environment is good, you might even see your clownfish make it to 30 years!

Below are real answers from real people who have discussed the topic. I hope you find this helpful.

How Long Do Clownfish Live In Captivity? Real Answers By Real People!

“I have a mate pair that is 12 years old, which I still consider young. If the tank is kept in good order .”

“People keep their clownfish in their 30’s.”

“I’ve seen many posts of clownfish going strong for over 30 years.”

Good genetics can make it last 20-30 years. However, I doubt that many of the younger designer clowns will live to be as long as this .”

“Mass-produced clownfish can be seen as being in the 10 year range. It’s still pretty good though!

“I don’t know if designer or tank-bred clownfish are still around. They can still live as long as their natural counterparts if the tank is kept clean .”

“My tank-bred clownfish lived for 12 years.” They were normal ocellaris and probably mass-produced for a longer time strong>

“I have owned a pair of them since 2005. They are 13 years old now strong>

“My clownfish, now 14 years old, is still reproducing in a 90-gallon aquarium.”

“I have an mated period which is soon going to hit the tenth birthday milestone.”

Clownfish live for at least 3 years in captivity, as is evident from the above quotes. Many hobbyists have kept them for about 10-15 years.

Although clownfish can live to 30 years, it seems rare!

Let’s now see how long they can survive in the wild.

How Long Do Clownfish Live In The Wild?

Clownfish can live up to 30years in the wild, provided they are not eaten by large fish.

Clownfish are rarely hunted because they live in symbiotic relationships with sea anemones.

In the next segment, I will briefly discuss how they live in a symbiotic relationship to anemones. Also, how this prolongs their lives.

How Can Clownfish Live For So Long?

Clownfish are small in size, have a unique swimming style and bright disposition, making them easy to eat for any fish. How is it possible for them to live for more than two decades?

For a long time, marine scientists have been baffled by this question. Now we think we know the answer.

Researchers from Germany and Italy joined forces to study the genetics of a clownfish’s long-term longevity.

They sequenced the genome, and then compared it with sequences from other species. They discovered that longevity is a matter of the clownfish’s mitochondrial and lysosomes.

The body of a clownfish produces mucus, which prevents it being stung with the tentacles of the sea anemone. This survival strategy is why clownfish have lower mortality rates than other species.

The researchers performed a series of genome analyses on clownfish and damselfish to complete this study. Although the two species have many similarities, only the clownfish has a symbiotic relationship to sea anemones.

Clownfish are provided shelter by anemones. Anemones receive poop from clownfish, which contains all the nutrients they need to flourish.

Clownfish are known for their bright colors, which they use to lure fish into anemones. The anemone’s poison kills them and then they are eaten.

Before I share some tips and tricks that will prolong the life expectancy of your clownfish, let’s address some frequently asked questions.

Maroon Clownfish Lifespan – How Long Can They Live?

Maroon clownfish can live for between 3-7 year in captivity. Many specimens can live up to 17-20years.

Clarkii Clownfish Lifespan – How Long Can They Live?

Clarkii clownfish can live for over 14 years when kept in captivity. The oldest known living clownfish was only 13 years old in the wild.

Ocellaris Clownfish Lifespan – How Long Can They Live?

In captivity, Ocellaris clownfish can live 3-10 year on average. However, judging from the information I have read on the forums it is possible for many to live beyond their tenth birthdays if they are well cared for.

How Long Did The Oldest Clownfish Live?

Only 5% of the Earth’s oceans are known to be charted and explored. It is impossible to know how long the oldest clownfish lived, or for what other fish.

According to an aquarium survey in Europe, the oldest clownfish was about 20 years.

They were able to reproduce at regular times despite their advanced age, which is a strong indicator that they are not reaching the end of the natural lifespan.

Can Clownfish Live For 20 Years?

Most clownfish species live up to 20 years if they are properly cared for. A survey in Europe’s aquariums found that the oldest clownfish lived for around 20 years.

Is It Possible To Extend Your Clownfish’s Lifespan?

There is no hard and fast rule or mumbo-jumbo to prolong a clownfish’s life span. If your clownfish dies early, it’s your fault and your poor husbandry.

A clownfish’s life expectancy is determined by its genetic makeup.

While you can’t change their genes, making sure your Nemo has a healthy environment and nutritious food will go a long way to ensuring that it lives a full and happy life.

Perhaps you’ll be the one to brag about your 30-year-old clownfish on the XYZ Fish Forum. Never say never!

How To Ensure Your Clownfish Lives A Long Life?

It’s possible to keep them around for up to 30 years. I know you are interested in that possibility. A large, clean, well-maintained tank, stable water temperatures and a good diet will ensure that clownfish live long lives.

Let’s take a look at each of these points one by one!

Get A Big Tank

Clownfish can grow to a reasonable size, as I am sure. They still need a large tank to live a comfortable existence. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation online that claims they can live in tanks as small 5 gallons. This is far from the truth.

One clownfish requires at least 20 gallons tank space. If you want to house anemones, at least 50 gallons are required.

A large tank will save you money later on. It will be a blessing for your clownfish.

Small tanks can make the water more volatile. This makes your fish more susceptible to ammonia spikes that can be dangerous and distressing, which will stress it even more.

Small tanks can also lead to lack of space, territorial aggression, and eventually stress.

It is obvious that stress and anxiety can cause fish to suffer from poor health.

Get The Water Parameters Right

Here are the ideal water conditions for clownfish:

• Temperature: 73-80 degrees F
• pH: 7.8-8.4
• Specific Gravity: 1.012-1.02 (29-35 PPT)
• Ammonia – 0 PPM
• Nitrate 0.2 PPM
• Nitrite 0.2 PPM
• Water Movement Moderate
• Lighting: Moderate

Clownfish originate from the Indo-Pacific region. They are therefore sensitive to cold temperatures. They are also sensitive to heavy metals, like chlorine.

You should ensure that your water parameters are correct. Fish don’t like sudden changes in their environment.

To ensure your fish’s health and longevity, do your research and buy conditioners, salt, or other maintenance products from reputable brands.

Keep Right Tankmates

Although clownfish are small, they can be very animated. They are territorial and won’t hesitate to engage in duels to protect their tank.

If you’re new to the hobby, keep one or two clownfish. It would be absurd to raise a group of clownfish.

You should also consider whether your tankmates will have the same water and diet requirements as a clownfish.

Here are some tankmates that would be a good fit for clownfish.

• Damselfish
• Tangs
• Dart fishes
• Angelfish
• Marine invertebrates
• Wrasses

Corals and anemones can be added to your fish. If your fish seem stressed, you should immediately remove them.

Let’s now look at some diseases that can shorten the lifespan of clownfishes.

Diseases In Clownfish

• Fin Rot
• White spots
• Swim bladder disease
• Hole in the head disease

Fin Rot

Infections from wounds or poor water conditions can often cause fin rot.

The fins will appear frail and have a reddish hue. The fins may appear completely shriveled in some cases.

Infected clownfish may appear withdrawn, lose appetite, and become more sedentary.

You should immediately isolate your fish if you suspect it has fin rot disease.

White Spots

Clownfish, like their freshwater counterparts are also susceptible to ich. This parasite is known as Cryptocaryon Irritatans.

The disease manifests in tiny white spots on the body, tail, and gills.

Additional signs include increased mucus production and cloudy eyes.

To treat ich, you will need to use copper treatment.

In most cases, a copper treatment dose of 0.015-0.24 mg/liters is sufficient. However, I recommend that you strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

This article explains the best treatments for marine ichon clownfish.

Clownfish have white spots Copper-Free Treatment?

Swim Bladder Disease

A swimmer’s bladder disease can be caused by bloating, abnormalities, or injury. You may also experience it as a sign of another secondary disease.

The fish’s abdomen will appear bloated and it will have difficulty swimming. The fish will either swim involuntarily, sink to the bottom or float to the top.

If the condition is due to digestive issues, fasting and eating a fibrous diet such as peas can help. If the condition is due to an injury or abnormality, however, professional assistance will be required.

Head In-The-Hole Disease

Even though it isn’t as common as the other diseases mentioned above, clownfish can still be affected by hole-in-the head disease, also known to as lateral line erosion.

This disorder directly affects the lateral line and vibration-sensing parts of the fish. Soon, you will see tiny holes in the head.

As the disease progresses, the skin will begin to erode.

The hexamitid parasites are responsible for the disease. They can be triggered by poor diet, stress, and foul water parameters.

Frequently Asked Question

Before I end this article, I will answer some of the most common questions about clownfish. Skip ahead if you already know the answer!

Clownfish Size – How Big Do They Grow?

Below is a table that shows the average size of various species of clownfish.

Clownfish Species	Average Size
Ocellaris Clownfish	4.3 Inches
Percula Clownfish	3 Inches
Maroon Clownfish	7 Inches
Clarkii Clownfish	4-5 Inches
Tomato Clownfish	5 Inches

Clownfish Diet: What Do They Eat?

Clownfish are found in the magical oceans and they eat small invertebrates, algae, and food scraps left by anemones.

You can feed them high-quality pellets as a staple food and treat them occasionally with live or frozen invertebrates such as mysis and brine shrimp.

Clownfish are an omnivore fish that can eat both meat and plant-based foods. It is up to you to determine its diet.

Clownfish Price – How Much Do They Cost?

A standard clownfish’s starting price can be anywhere from $15 to 45. It will cost you more if it is rare or a designer species.

The price of a clownfish is often determined by its size, color and appearance of its stripes.

Can you keep more than 2 clownfish?

There is no restriction on keeping more than 2 clownfish in your tank. There are some caveats to this.

If you have more than two clownfish in your tank, they will eventually form a pair and will eat the singletons.

Is It Cruel To Keep Clownfish?

A small tank can’t replicate the oceanic environment that fish live in. If you give them enough space, provide good food, and keep their habitat clean, it isn’t cruel to keep clownfish.

However, if they are kept in a small tank and live in poor conditions, it is not only cruel but barbaric!

Final Words: Clownfish Lifespan

Clownfish live a very long life span. They can live up to 30 years if the environment is good. They can survive for up to four years if they are treated poorly in captivity.

Numerous hobbyists have shared their stories of clownfish living beyond 10 and 20 years. It is possible, provided you take the proper care.

Clownfish can also live longer in the wild due to their symbiotic relationship. With their dangling nodes, anemones protect clownfish from predators.