I just noticed today after getting in from work that my big Black Moor and one of my Butterfly-tails were marked with white spots on their gill plates and pectoral fins. I was relieved when I found out they are just breeding stars but.... I've had these two for a while now [especially the Moor] and this is the first time it's shown up. Once a male gets his stars does that put a number on his life? If so should I put efforts into breeding now - or - is this completely seasonal and non-lifespan altering?

All breeding stars mean is that they are sexually mature, which means they have entered their prime! There lives arent going to be any shorter. Theve just completed puberty

*is so uber relieved* Thanks so much I would hate to think of loosing my Moor, he and I have been through a lot.

How long does it usually take for the stars to fade away?

I dont think they do, they might go away a bit when breeding season is done, but im quite sure he will always have them. As i said, its like puberty, and once us humans get our sexual mature parts, we dont lose em!