Betta Lifespan

[absolutangel04]

I have read that the average lifespan for betta splendens is only about 2-4 years. I don't know if those statistsics are for bettas in tanks, or if they include bettas in vases/cups. I am just curious, how long has anybody had a betta in a tank live?

 

[VioletEmber]

I've wondered the same thing myself, but my guess is that the ones in a tank live for 3-4 and the ones in vases live 6mo. I received a full grown male Betta as a gift - he'd been living in a vase and I put him in my 10g and he lived about a year or so longer- I have no idea how old he was when I got him though, I just know he was really big and not aggressive, even with the ladies! So I know he was past his prime...

 

[bruinsbro1997]

My cousin has had a betta for ten years. In a vase with bamboo in it. Possible? I don't know how

 

[jpchin]

benny (the betta) has lived in a large glass bowl at my house for 5 years. he's not too active anymore but is still eating well and still has beautiful color. i don't know how old he was when i got him.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I've got a betta that started his life in a vase and is now in a tank and my sister and I figured out he was 5ish. He's still going strong too.

 

[aqua_chem]

4-6 years is probably about average. If you have better stock (as in from a breeder, not a betta mill) they'll live longer. On the other hand, poor genetics will lead to shorter lives, which you might run into with specially bred bettas.

 

[adeebm]

I suppose it depends on whether you mean average lifespan in captivity, average lifespan under ideal conditions, or average lifespan in the wild The 2-4 statistic may include bettas living in bowls and such.

--Adeeb

 

[absolutangel04]

I suppose it depends on whether you mean average lifespan in captivity, average lifespan under ideal conditions, or average lifespan in the wild The 2-4 statistic may include bettas living in bowls and such.

--Adeeb

Yeah, thats what I am wondering. I specified betta splendens in tanks because I have never really had any experience wild any other betta types, and I definitely have no idea about the bettas that live in the wild.
I think aqua chem might be right that 4-6 years seems like a more decent average for bettas in tanks. And yes, poorer geentics definitely play a part in lifespans of any fish. Honestly, I am wondering if bettas from good breeders live longer because they have better genetics and have never been subjected to the poor conditions (in theory).

 

[jetajockey]

I would think that line/selective bred bettas would probably do worse because the selective/line breeding tends to make for weaker stock in general.

I would say that a bettas lifespan could be infinite (at least perceived as) assuming that the people keeping it have a steady supply of identical looking ones to take its place, lol. It's sad but I've seen it happen.

 

[TheCrazyFishLady]

I brought this up on a thread like a year ago. Bettas can live staggeringly different life span. I would say that 2-4 years is of a betta in perfect conditions. Normally the bowl/vase ones live about a year, with exceptions applying.

My boyfriend had a betta live over five years in a bowl. He hated filters and hated bigger set-ups, so he had to stay in his one favorite little bowl. He passed on a few months ago due to me being a moron...

One of the mods/admins on here had a betta that was like eight or ten years old. I can't remember which one though, so don't quote me on that. I'm trying to remember who it was... anyway, I have read multiple claims of bettas reaching ten and going over. I have never personally known the person or fish to be over five though.

 

[absolutangel04]

Yeah, when I was younger and the internet was not so readily available to everybody, I had bettas in vases and I got a couple of them to live 2 years. I think about a year seems like a fair average for that though (with some exceptions in both directions of course). But, now my oldest tanked betta is only about a year old, but I certainly expect him to live longer than 2 years.