A large portion of the expense was often the lighting. At least in the reef hobby.

LEDs have changed the game in that regard.

I don't have a ton of expensive corals though..it is a hobby so there is a learning curve and death is given.


The tomato clown in a large tank at the place I bought the firefish, had been in there 40 years they said.

I believe it, because I had a tomato clown for many years and they are impossible to catch. Mean too..to other fish.

Once acclimated fish/corals/inverts can live for decades. My anemone is the size of a quarter and I've had it 20+years.