Lifespan of Mandarin Dragonet

[slojmn1]

For those of you with mandarin dragonets that are healthy and thriving in a reef tank, what are your thoughts on their lifespan? I know a lot depends on what size/age they are when purchased but I was curious how long some of you have had your little guys.
Thanks

Love and Peace to our real heros, our brave firemen and police officers....

 

[MedicineMan1]

Are you the DragonLady because you keep a Dragonette?

Seriously, though, sounds like you DO know your Mandarins! Good info!!

 

[Dragonlady]

My plump mandarinfish has been in my reef tank for about 3 years. She was about 1 1/2 when purchased, and the mandarinfish is now approximately 2 1/2 inches. I would imagine that Synchiropus splendidas have a lifespan of around 5-12(or more?) years in a reef tank with a well established amphipod and copepod population.

 

[Terry B]

That is a question I really should know the answer to. Most of the ones I have kept eventually died from some sort of accident. I had a pair for three years that I kept at my mothers house. She decided to paint the room they were in. I came over a couple of days later and found them dead of poisoning. I had another pair for 6 years that were both crushed by a rock during an earthquake. I had a male jump out as night during the mating ritual. I have a female now that has been with me 6 years. I guess I haven't had one die of old age yet. If other fish are an indicator then I have kept lots of fish for 10 years or more. Even then sometimes the cause of death wasn't old age. I lost some old fish when I went through a divorce before I could get them moved. Tough question to answer.
Terry B