On this topic of goldfish life span in our climate there are two analogies which I can draw to on why the lifespan here is shorter.I guess that their life span is abt half compared to goldfish being kept in temperate regions with four seasons in which our FOUR Seasons Hotel is totally irrelavant.

The first analogy may make some sense:
In treatment of fish diseases eg ick (white spot) we can raise the water temperature to hasten the life cycle of the parasites.So if goldfish had originated in China's temperate weather and we are raising them here we are actually hastening their life cycles as well.That is why Goldrush's babies spawned in Oct 04(am I right?) are having underaged sex now at the age of 5 months as compared to China or Japan where if the fishes spawn in spring after 5 month they are in hibernation.

The second analogy makes no sense and to be taken on a lighter note:
Ever heard of the saying that the amount of money that we make in a lifetime is already pre-determined and therefore after we reached the amount we will die?
So for a goldfish the amount of food is already predetermined,in our region they consume twice as much as compared to temperate regions therefore their lifespan if half as much.

Hahahahahahahahah
I like your analogies
So people like us tend to expire earlier
if we eat more and have sex earlier
Blame it on climate or reaching climax sooner than permitted

Moderator,
Not sure this is done before and is too general to get a poll. Would like to know the general statistic of how long a lifespan of goldfish when kept in door, possibly in term of average, excluding those outliers.
Heard that is not too long live

Topic moved.
You can find your answers here. Lifespan of a fish should depend more on climate.

If unsure you can do a search. This is exactly what I did. I merely did a search on "lifespan", which led me to this topic.

Thks, forget to do a search . Don't really get the answer here. Theroetically is 5 yrs, but where is the norm? 1, 2, 3 yrs? Is it possible to get some poll from the members to see where is the norm, so at least we can know where we lies and whether our way of upkeeping is right?

Hi, a poll on what you've suggested, with the members here will not be accurate and will not be able to represent anything at all.

As CP has pointed out, a great portion of members have short history in this hobby.

For example, if a member only have a 2 yr history in this hobby, given that he is VERY SKILLED FROM START, his oldest fish might only be 2 yr old. But it does not mean that the lifespan of his fish is only 2 yrs. Perhaps a few more yrs for this fish to stay alive.

Another point, as goldrush has started this topic for, is that a fish dying of disease cannot be taken as its natural lifespan. It is due to the owner's lack of ability to keep the fish healthy, that is killing it.

So to gauge goldfish's natural lifespan locally, a lot of considerations have to taken into account. One of great importance, is the owner's skills.

To sum up what I am trying to say is, in a poll where many newbies have taken part in, the general lifespan would probably be about a few months to 1 yr. But it does not mean that goldfish kept in Singapore can only live for one year only!

Generally, like ET has pointed out, 5 yrs at most. My longest living fish was with me for 2 yrs... until I lost it (it did not die.. simply GOT LOST!). So for me it is 2yr plus 3 months (for it to grow to about 4 inches when I bought it.)

yo ppl!

ehh, my avatar fish still alive. probably 2.5 yrs?

Desireless,
Thks, fully understood of the subjectivity involved. Probably a poll of the longest living goldfish here will be more approriate.
I have one hardy (no matter how I treat it) 18cm Ranchu follows me for 4 yrs, from the first day I bought it (already the same size and not sure how long it already lives).

yup still alive and more years to come ...

longest i know locally hor, was a 8 yrs old. that's a comet that I kept in a glass tank. However, most of fanciful goldfish seldom reach a "fruitful old age" like human. Guess like dogs, hybrids vs pedigrees.

in local climate, lifespan does shorten quite drastically. However, it depends on every living condition that the keeper can provide and how well one can maintain for the a thousand days and more.

the lifespan of a fish is in the hand of the owner.

Generally, you can also see a common goldfish (e.g comet ) lives longer then those fanciful one. Lifespan really depend what sort of goldfish you are keeping, those that human created through cross-breeding are really susceptible to all kind of deceases and thus short lived , like
a) The globic type, golfball and crownhead pearlscale, are susceptible to dropsy and bubble on the skin deceases,
b) Those that with fins intentionally shorten (short-tail Ryukin & telescope) or eliminated (Ranchu, Lionhead) are prone to swim-bladder and buoyancy problem.
c) Those that with fanciful looks like bubble eyes, wen on oranda/lion head are vulnerable to rot and hole in the head problem.
Isn't human being the culprit on creating those fanciful goldfish that we so call nice are shortening the life of goldfish.
I hardly see any pearlscale that can live past a yr. If you have one, I really

a) The globic type, golfball and crownhead pearlscale, are susceptible to dropsy and bubble on the skin deceases,

Very good observation ! Pearlscale - the most demanding water condition than any other varieties.

b) Those that with fins intentionally shorten (short-tail Ryukin & telescope) or eliminated (Ranchu, Lionhead) are prone to swim-bladder and buoyancy problem.

Not bad not bad at all ... Not really but due to the enlarged body.

c) Those that with fanciful looks like bubble eyes, wen on oranda/lion head are vulnerable to rot and hole in the head problem.

Funny, bubbles should not fall into this leh.

I hardly see any pearlscale that can live past a yr. If you have one, I really

mine going 2 in a few months time ....Tiku Pearl

most pics all gone liao. long time ago discussion.

my oldest butt.. more than 2yrs liaoz



as for pearl, i've got almost 2years old

CyberET,
, your perscale must be kept in tip-top condition all these yrs

Matrix,
I think the fins play a huge part in balancing of a fish. Those that with shorten tail w.r.t the body mass I observed really have problem struggling through the water current. Those that with dorsal fin elimiated has problem navigating and may end with with head/tail standing (Infact, I am not sure of the function of the dorsal fin for a fish).
As for the bubble eyes, really the sac is a problem and prone to deceases, beside the hassel of maintaining the delicate bubbles.

Goh