A Fish Census

In the U.S., the Constitution states that we are to take a census every 10 years. This helps determine the number of representatives in Congress and assess relative need for federal tax dollars. Periodically I take a fish census.

Since early 2014 I have kept records of fish acquired, fish deaths, and which fish are in what tanks. When I started giving away significant numbers of fish to Chicago Livebearer Society, I kept note of that too.

I’ve done this for a number of reasons. Fish longevity and mortality are good indicators of the health of the tank. If fish are dying off quickly, then something is obviously wrong. The tank is poorly cared for and/or overstocked. A disease was introduced. Tankmates are incompatible. Or the tank conditions are not matched to the needs of the fish species. There is also this perception that fish are “disposable”. It’s true that some species by nature have a relatively brief lifespan–neon tetras and killifish come to mind. They live a few months or a year at best. Livebearers and catfish should live longer than that. Properly housed and cared for, goldfish can lives for years and koi can live for decades.

My 75 gallon tank, February 2018

My 75 gallon tank is home to some longevity superstars. In the lower right you will see an albino cory catfish. I have two in this tank, Snowcat and Cloudcat. I bought them 10-25-14, so I have had them 3 1/2 years. Also in that tank are 3 zebra loaches I bought 6-14-15 and 1 yo-yo loach, bought 10-29-15. There was a second yo-yo loach, who jumped to his death recently.

My 75 gallon tank, February 2018. On the left is Kittyfish, an emerald cory catfish I got on 11-9-13. I have had Kittyfish for 4 1/2 years.

My 55 gallon Rainbow In The Dark tank, February 2018.

I set up this 55 gallon tank in November 2017. In it are 9 tetra glofish. I acquired 5 of them 10-7-16 and got 4 more 1-21-18. There is also one remaining black skirt tetra, from a group I obtained 10-23-14. In the bottom left, by the blue rock and by the dragon, you can see two albino corydoras catfish.

I acquired these two albino corydoras catfish, Marshmellow and Sugar, on 1-15-15. They originally lived in a 29 gallon planted tank with platies and blackline rasboras. I took down the 29 gallon when I got the 55 gallon, and Marshmellow and Sugar went to live in there.

On 12-23-14 I got my first upside down catfish, Coffee. On the left, here she is in April 2015. On Black Friday 2015 I got three more upside down catfish, Donuts, Mocha and Milk. On the right is Coffee with pal Donuts.

Here are the other two upside down catfish, Mocha (left) and Milk. My daughter Naomi named Milk because of the white coloration on his head.

This is the 15 gallon that’s home to the upside down catfish. I took the top photo when I acquired the rock from http://www.stevensonrocks.com in October 2017. The bottom photo was taken 4-21-18.

While this fish is no longer with us, he is still worth mentioning. On 6-20-14 I acquired 3 Julii corydoras catfish, and they lived in my 20 gallon planted Chichen Itza tank (see below). This picture was taken 3-25-15. All 3 were still living as of 10-30-16. I believe they died in January 2017.

This is my 20 gallon Chichen Itza tank, October 2017. In November 2017 these tetra glofish and the black skirt tetra were moved to the 55 gallon Rainbow In The Dark tank.

So in terms of longevity, the corydoras catfish team appear to be the reigning champs, with Kittyfish in the lead at 4 1/2 years of age. Coming in second are Snowcat and Cloudcat at 3 1/2 years of age, with Marshmellow and Sugar close behind at 3 years 3 months. Team upside down catfish placed second, with Coffee in the lead at 3 years 4 months, and the rest of the team at 2 years 5 months. Team Julii catfish placed third at 2 years 6 months.

Now, onto the bettas. Stay tuned.