Life expectancy?

Sorry to hear you lost your fish.
To answer your question, three years is short but given his size, he's older than 3.5 years. (Did you raise him from a juvi?) So that account, yes, he could have passed due to old age. When they get old, sometimes they are more susceptible to internal fungus/bacterial infections that we never even notice it until it's too late.
Was he eating?

Thanks. Umm well i had him for maybe 2.5 yrs, got him when he was about 4-5 inches, so I figured he was prob a year old when I got him. Ya he was eating just fine, always had a very majestic, metallic blue shimmer, so i dunno really.... shame. Was seriously considering adding several females to breed with him recently too, ah well.

So how old is typical anyhow?? theyre in a big 140 gallon tank, proper filtration, food etc

I've heard 7-8 years.

For many Malawi fish types thats about the general range IME.

Here on page 25 is my very generalized take on cichlid aging;
http://www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com/newsletter/ll-feb11.pdf

nick a said:

For many Malawi fish types thats about the general range IME.

Here on page 25 is my very generalized take on cichlid aging;
http://www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com/newsletter/ll-feb11.pdf

Click to expand...

An HCCC plug, I love it!

Lol, thanks for the posts guys

I have had fish die at 7 for no apparent reason, i have some that are 11 years old.