Is my loach a golden oldie?
After reading Nathan Hill’s article on small loaches in the January issue, I wondered if you had any idea of the average lifespan for a dwarf chain loach? I have one last survivor from a shoal I purchased way back in July 1996. It shares a 3m-long tank with a group of considerably bigger clown loaches, but still seems to get its share at mealtimes. Is this a normal age for this species, and should it be expecting a telegram from the King anytime soon?
BOB SAYS: At over 27 years old, that’s an impressive age for any aquarium fish. Botiid loaches like chain and clown loaches are known to be long lived in aquariums if given good conditions, and I’ve heard reports of these fish living in excess of 20 years, but it’s far from commonplace, so well done. Many tropical aquarium favourites such as cardinal tetras are more or less ‘annual’ in the wild, but in the sheltered, predator- and environmental extreme-free world of the fish tank they may live as long as five years. Loaches and other bottom dwelling fish such as Corydoras and plecos can live far longer, however. I’ve had a
Corydoras splendens (formerly Brochis) live for over 20 years, while fellow PFK expert Neale Monks has a Panaque nigrolineatus that’s approaching its 30th year in his care. (Editor’s note: I once had a goldfish that lived over thirty years before I lost contact with it.)
Why from a large group of loaches just the one has survived to a great age is a mystery with so many factors at play, but I’d say just enjoy your long-lived loach while you have it—they’re a wonderful little species.