Discover the Oldest Betta Fish in the World

Written by Kyle Glatz
Published: January 9, 2023
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Siamese fighting fish, commonly called betta fish, are beautiful and stylish pets. Like many other small aquatic pets, most pet keepers know that these fish are relatively short-lived compared to other animals. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the company of your betta fish for many years. Today, we’re going to show you the ages of the oldest betta fish in the world.

We’ll go over how long you can expect yours to live, the purported ages of the oldest to ever live, and how you can improve your betta fish’s conditions to live longer! That way, you can get the most time with your pet and see ways to improve its living situation.

How Long Do Betta Fish Live?

On average, betta fish can live between 2 and 5 years.

©Arunee Rodloy/Shutterstock.com

The average betta fish can survive for between 2 and 5 years. Wild betta fish tend to live for about 2 years, while captive ones live for 2 to 5 years and beyond. However, male betta fish tend to die sooner after they’re purchased, though. That’s because it takes them longer to mature.

So, the pet store will allow male bettas to mature for longer before selling them, cutting down on the amount of time they have with their new owner.

Wild betta fish face many challenges to their survival. For one thing, they are small fish that live in a variety of different bodies of water in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. They face predation from other aquatic creatures. They also deal with issues stemming from water quality and food availability.

Captive betta fish often have owners that care about their well-being. They receive optimized food, have clean living environments, and do not face predators. Thus, they live longer.

Yet, some people claim that their betta fish have lived much longer than 2 years or even 5 years. Before we start talking about the aged bettas in the world, let’s show you how to take better care of your betta.

How to Help Your Betta Fish Live Longer

You can help your betta fish live a full and long life by providing the right environment, lowering the fish’s stress levels, and offering them the best food. You can take several steps to achieve these goals. Here is a brief list of ways to improve your betta’s lifestyle and help them live as long as possible.

  1. Buy a betta fish that is lively and healthy-looking
  2. Feed your pet high-quality food that is formulated for bettas, and feed them the right amount
  3. Give your betta fish enough room to thrive, at least a 5-gallon tank
  4. Add plants and hiding areas to help your betta feel safer
  5. Make sure to clean the tank frequently
  6. Ensure you purchase a tank with a top so the fish can’t leap out
  7. Maintain a tank temperature of about 75 to 80 degrees

By following these recommendations, you can keep your betta fish happy and healthy. That way, you can give your fish every chance of surviving for several years.

Now that we’ve covered how to help a betta fish live a long time, let’s consider some of the oldest bettas on record.  

What Was the Oldest Betta Fish in the World?

Red Animals - Siamese Fighting Fish

The longest-living betta fish in the world was about 10 years.

©ANURAK PONGPATIMET/Shutterstock.com

The oldest betta fish in the world was 10 years old. Several people claim to have had betta fish live for 6 years or longer. Unfortunately, nobody has any reasonable proof to provide for their betta’s age. Betta fish don’t have birth certificates like people. They certainly don’t have breeding and reproductive records like dogs. The vast majority of betta fish probably never see a veterinarian, either.

So, there is no paper trail for any of the people who claim to have owned a betta fish for 10 years. Yet, if we dismiss all betta fish owners’ claims, then we’re left with the average and no exemplars.

It may suffice to say that the elderly range for betta fish is over 6 years old. Based on the numerous claims found on the internet about 7-to-10-year-old betta fish, it may just be possible to keep the fish that long.

Again, if you want your fish to age well, then follow the tips that we listed above. Also, spend some time talking with betta fish experts about the changing best practices for raising and keeping betta fish.

What Are the Pet Fish with the Greatest Longevity?

Now that we’ve covered the maximum age for betta fish, you may want to think about getting some pet fish that live a long time. We’re going to review a few of the fish that have a long lifespan. That way, you can get a pet that will be a companion for many years or a few decades.

Koi Fish

Koi fish swimming in the pond.

Koi fish

can live between 20 and 25 years.

©PokkO/Shutterstock.com

For starters, we have koi fish. These beautiful creatures have been shipped around the world. You can expect these carp to live for anywhere from 20 to 25 years with proper care. Some koi have supposedly lived for a much longer time. However, they are very large pet fish, so they need a pond or an exceedingly large tank.

Goldfish

Fantail Goldfish in aquarium with green plants, and stones.

The goldfish can live between 10 and 15 years.

©dien/Shutterstock.com

While the average common goldish can live for 10 to 15 years, there was one that lived twice as long. According to Guinness World Records, the oldest goldfish was named Tish, and it lived to be 43 years old! These fish need more than a simple fishbowl to survive to such a ripe age, though.

Discus

Red discus on black background

With good care, discus can live for up to 15 years.

©Andrej Jakubik/Shutterstock.com

Discus fish are South American freshwater fish that grow rather large and live for between 10 and 15 years on average. They need a 75-gallon tank to grow properly, and they require the hand and patience of an expert to raise properly. Still, they can live for almost 20 years with good care or maybe even longer.

Now you should have a good idea about some of the longest-living fish. While the betta fish won’t stand the test of time like koi, you can still help them survive as your companion for a long time.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © N.R.A. Seno Aji/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Kyle Glatz is a writer at A-Z-Animals where his primary focus is on geography and mammals. Kyle has been writing for researching and writing about animals and numerous other topics for 10 years, and he holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Education from Rowan University. A resident of New Jersey, Kyle enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games.

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