A very old Pterygoplichthys pardalis I think..

[errichello5]

Hi, it is my catfish
I saw the most commons fish and I think that is a Pterygoplichthys pardalis but I'm not too sure...
it is long 35 cm and it's 27 years old
Someone can help me?
I'd like to know what is its max lifespan ...

Lorenzo

[Bristlenose 94]

if thats 35cm then those are some pretty big neons. Looks stunted....

[errichello5]

Tank is 35 cm of deep and it touch both side... Neon are nearer than catfish, it's simple...
I'm sorry for the low quality of the picture

[MatsP]

It does look like an old P. pardalis, indeed.

In captivity, I'd expect these to exceed 25 years if kept in good conditions.

Your fish looks "old" by the curved back.

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Mats

[errichello5]

I hope that it lives some years more I've Inherited it by few months and i dont want see it die yet
Thanks a lot ... this site is really amazing

P.s. sorry for my ridiculous english
Lorenzo

[MatsP]

Your ridiculous English is much better than my Italian. Beyond counting to five, a few simple words like beer, pizza, pasta and such, I'd be lost. Oh, and a few words you can't repeat in polite society...

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Mats

[errichello5]

It's a good start for the holiday

[MatsP]

It's a good start for the holiday

Sure, but to even get some INTERESTING food, I'd have to resort to English I think. I have spent a few days in Italy, and I know that my life would be very dull if I kept using only my very limited Italian knowledge...

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Mats

[AleGer]

35 cm isn't too much for Pterygoplichthys pardalis. I saw Pterygoplichthys pardalis more then 40 cm long in Kiev museum. I have no idea how old is he, but I think less than 10 years.
Also this one qalmost 30 cm long.

http://pleco.org.ua/images/Pterygoplich ... alis_1.jpg

I agree with MatsP. It does look like an old P. pardalis. But it is a little bit small for 27 years old I think.

In captivity, I'd expect these to exceed 25 years if kept in good conditions.

Intersting, how long does Pterygoplichthys pardalis live in nature?

[MatsP]

There is extremely little data on lifespan of wild fishes in general. I would say that they are more likely to live long in captivity than in the wild.

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Mats

[andywoolloo]

so that's an old age body shape not a stunted one maybe?

He seems kinda small to be that old. or else mine is just a beast.

[MatsP]

Size of these fish depend very much on the conditions they live in - I suspect it's been kept in a small tank...

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Mats

[Carp37]

There is extremely little data on lifespan of wild fishes in general. I would say that they are more likely to live long in captivity than in the wild.

I remember seeing a website with oldest recorded fish ages for different species in captivity (in some cases unsubstantiated), but annoyingly I can't find that link now. I think anything in the high twenties is pretty good for a loricariid- synos are renowned for living beyond 25 years, but most large loricariids I've seen suggest that somewhere around 18-20 is more normal. Mats is right that information is pauce at best for wild fish lifespans, but I'd concur that longevity in well-maintained aquaria (adequate water chemistry, sufficent volume and suitable diet, etc.) is likely to exceed wild lifespans for most species, at least the non-delicate ones.

[Mike_Noren]

You may be thinking of Fischaltersliste:
http://www.aquarium-bbs.de/fisch/alter/f-alter.htm
It is/was a German site with a database of reported lifespans of aquarium fish, but AFAIK it is no longer maintained.

[Suckermouth]

Anyone else think those eyes look strangely shiny? I wonder what that's about.

[andywoolloo]

yeah I was drawn to the eyes also. different.

[Janne]

Anyone else think those eyes look strangely shiny? I wonder what that's about.

He is just happy that he got so old ;)

Or he just should be larger with a straight back making the eyes looks normal.

Janne