Bristle Nose Catfish

hello everyone,
i had two B.N.Catfish, a male and female that breed for about 4 years.
recently i lost the female to something(maybe popeye or dropsey?) and am wondering how old they live to naturaly. is it worth getting another female or should i wait until the male dies(hopefully of old age) and then replace the pair of them?
nath1
this is a not so good picture of my female as she was on her way out(you might be able to make out the bulging eyes).

I've seen as much as 10 years but I really don't know the average lfespan. I'd say get another female though. It's not like you can't just go get another male if he conks off in a few months or a year.

i had a breeding pair to but i lost the male he was about 9years, the female is the same age and going on strong along with a few of her fry for company