Scientists have discovered the most "long-lived" tropical reef fish on record: the 81-year-old night snapper

According to foreign media CNET, scientists are learning more about the secret of the "longevity" of fish on tropical coral reefs. An 81-year-old night snapper found off the coast of Western Australia rewrote the record. "The oldest fish we've found in shallow tropical waters so far is around 60 years old," Brett Taylor, a fish biologist at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS), said in a statement on Tuesday. "We found two different species here, which are becoming 'octogenarian fish' and may be older."

A Taylor-led study of long-lived fish was published this month in the journal Coral Reef. The paper covers red perch, night snapper and black and white snapper. The researchers found 11 fish over 60 years old. A 79-year-old red sea bass was found in the same area as record seabream.

Determining the age of a fish is much like calculating the age of a tree. Fish have growth bands in their ear bones (otoliths), which allow scientists to dial out the exact age. The bad news is that this method requires killing the fish. At least this snapper has a good run. "It's incredible that a fish can live on a coral reef for 80 years." Taylor said.

The researchers hope the study will help with fish management decisions in times of climate change. "We're looking at fish at different latitudes — water temperatures vary — to better understand how they might react when temperatures warm everywhere," Taylor said.