Parents of fish would love to pack up their tank and take their aquatic friends on vacation, but that is not possible. So how do you feed your fish while you’re away? Whether you choose a fish sitter, an automatic fish feeder, a vacation fish feeder, or not feeding them at all, you’ll need to do some research and come up with a good plan.
To help aquarists get ready for their trip, we spoke with Dr. Jessie Sanders, DVM, certified aquatic veterinarian (CertAqV) and owner of Aquatic Veterinary Services in northern California, and Dr. , DVM, a veterinarian and the founder of the Wet Pet Vet in New York City, for advice on how to feed aquarium fish while you’re away.
If you’re a pet fish owner, you’ve probably wondered how long your scaly friends can go without eating. After all, life happens and sometimes you need to be away from home for a few days. But will your fish be ok while you’re gone?
I totally get the concern. As fish owners, we want to make sure we’re providing the best possible care for our underwater buddies. Leaving them without food for an extended time can seem worrisome.
The good news is, fish are built to withstand short periods of fasting With some preparation and planning, your fish can stay happy and healthy even when you’re away
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about leaving your fish unfed. including
- How long fish can go without eating
- Factors that affect fasting time
- Tips for vacation feeding
- Signs your fish are starving
Let’s dive in!
How Long Can Fish Go Without Food?
The exact length of time fish can go without food depends on a few factors, which we’ll cover next. But generally speaking, here are the timelines:
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Most adult fish can last 1 week without food. This includes hardy species like goldfish, bettas, guppies, danios, mollies and platies.
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Some extra resilient adult fish can go 2 weeks without eating. This includes oscars, koi, gouramis and cory catfish.
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Baby fish and fry need to eat every day. Their quickly growing bodies demand lots of nutrition.
Now let’s look at what impacts fasting time…
Factors That Affect Fasting Time
Several variables play into how long fish can healthily go without food. These include:
1. Fish Species
Some varieties are naturally more resilient than others when it comes to fasting.
Herbivorous fish that munch on veggies and algae can’t go as long without eating. Their plant-based diet is harder to digest, so they need meals more frequently.
Carnivorous fish that eat other critters are adapted for infrequent eating. In the wild, these hunters sometimes go days between successful prey catches.
Hardy fish like goldfish, oscars and koi are carnivores that can handle longer unfed periods. More delicate species like bettas and guppies, both carnivores, can’t fast quite as long.
2. Fish Size & Age
Bigger, older fish have the fat stores and body mass to handle periods of hunger better than smaller, younger ones.
Large adult fish have enough reserves to burn in lean times. Little fry don’t have those same backup energy stores. Their small bodies demand frequent feedings to fuel growth and development.
3. Aquarium Stability
Fish in established, balanced tanks handle fasting better than those in brand new environments.
When fish are comfortable and acclimated to their habitat, skipping some meals is less stressful for them. Their unfamiliarity with a new tank makes fasting more difficult.
Stable water parameters, balanced ecosystems and ideal conditions let fish focus energy on getting through hunger periods. Fluctuating water conditions add extra strain on their systems.
Tips for Feeding Fish While You’re Away
Now that you know how long your fish can go sans food, what’s the best way to feed them when you’re away from home? Here are a few good options:
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Automatic fish feeders – These let you program portion sizes and feeding frequency. Food gets dispensed on a set schedule.
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Vacation feeder blocks – These slowly dissolve over several days, releasing small bits of food into the tank.
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Ask a friend to feed your fish – Make sure to give detailed instructions on how much and how often to feed.
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Fast fish for shorter trips – Quick weekend getaways may not require alternative feeding measures.
No matter which method you choose, give your fish a chance to adjust to any unfamiliar foods before you leave. Comparing a few options in advance prevents potential issues.
And be sure to account for all tank inhabitants’ dietary needs. What covers your goldfish for a week may leave your bottom feeders hungry.
Recognizing Starving Fish: Warning Signs
Hopefully these tips help you keep your fish fed in your absence. But if you’re still concerned your fish may get too hungry, watch for these cues when you get home:
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Increased aggression at feeding times
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Gulping down food incredibly fast
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Hanging around the tank’s top, searching for food
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Loss of body mass, appearing skinnier
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Changes in color, often appearing paler
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Increased skittishness and stress behaviors
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Labored breathing
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Lethargy and loss of normal movement
If your fish seem starved, gradually reintroduce food to get them back on track. Don’t overwhelm their digestive systems with big meals. Offer small amounts of their normal foods at first.
Within a few low-key feedings, any effects of fasting will disappear. Your fish will bounce back to their usual selves when their appetites are satisfied.
The Takeaway on Fasting Fish
Caring for our fish means learning their needs, limits and abilities. Understanding how long fish can go without food helps us be prepared when travel or life interrupts our pet parenting duties.
With the proper setup and contingency plan, your fish can weather short fasting periods just fine. A week or less without food won’t faze most adult fish when the conditions are right.
Hopefully this gives you confidence that your fish will be ok if you need to be away for a bit! Just implement a good feeding method when you’re gone. Then keep an eye out for starvation signs when you get back, and help your fish ease back into eating.
With a little planning and preparation, both you and your underwater pals can stay happy, healthy and well-fed no matter what life throws your way. So you can relax about those upcoming vacations or busy periods. Your fish can handle it!
Prepare Your Aquarium Water
Fill up the tank with new water and clean the filter. This is one of the best things you can do to get your aquarium ready for your trip. “That way, your fish have the cleanest water you can give them before you leave,” Dr. Sanders says.
Hire a Casual Fish Sitter
Another idea is to ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to check on your aquarium fish. The best people for this are those who have simple fish tanks (think goldfish or betta fish) and those who are going on short trips. If you leave your fish for more than a week, you might need to change the water. This is something that experienced fish sitters should do, but a trusted friend could do it if they were given clear instructions.
Also keep in mind the worst case scenario emotional cost. If something goes wrong with the fish tanks while you’re away, you don’t want that to hurt your relationship with that person. Consider hiring a pro if you’re worried about that possibility.
As a pet sitter, it shouldn’t be hard for friends, family, neighbors, or anyone else who wants to watch your aquarium fish but has never done it before. The goal is to make things as easy as possible for them.
- Keep it simple. For example, don’t ask them to hatch and harvest brine shrimp or fill up your CO2 tank. Stick to checking how the tank looks, feeding your fish, and, if necessary, checking the water level.
- Clearly set expectations. Tell them ahead of time what they need to do to take care of the fish and leave a note with clear instructions.
- Portion out the food ahead of time. Put it in bags with labels that say which day each serving should be eaten. You can put sticky notes on the aquariums that tell you when and how much to feed them if you have more than one.
- Prepare extra water. Evaporation can cause the water level to drop over time, so it’s a good idea to have a bucket of water with a water conditioner ready next to the aquarium for when someone comes to watch your fish.
- Leave a phone number. When people need to get in touch with you, make sure they know how to do so. To be safe, you can also leave the number of a skilled fishkeeper who might be able to help. If you don’t know any experienced fish keepers, leave the name and number of your favorite aquarium store. Let the manager of the store know what you’re doing so they can help you get in touch with your fish sitter if you need to.
- Hide extra food. People who don’t know much about fish might think they’re still hungry after a meal and give them too much food. “Unfortunately, you’ll have a lot of problems if you feed fish too much while you’re away and don’t keep the water tested,” Dr. Sanders says.
How long can a fish go without food in an aquarium?
How long can a pet fish live without food?
Some species of pet fish can even survive a lack of food for over two weeks! Wild and captive-kept adult fish generally have sufficient body mass and fat reserves to miss a couple of meals occasionally without coming to any harm. Omnivorous fish, including goldfish, happily graze on algae deposits within their tank between feeds.
Is it good to eat fish?
Fish is one of the healthiest foods on earth. It is loaded with important nutrients such as protein and vitamin D. Fish is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are very essential for body and brain growth and development. Some fish are high in mercury, which is related to brain developmental problems. Eating fish lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish may combat depression. Fish and fish products are the best sources of vitamin D. Eating fish has been linked to reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes and several other autoimmune diseases. Eating fish protects vision in old age, preventing age-related macular degeneration(AMD).
Can fish survive without food?
Fish can survive without food for varying durations depending on factors like species, age, size, and overall health. Physical signs of hunger in fish include reduced activity and loss of body weight. Providing a balanced and species-specific diet is crucial for the overall health and wellbeing of fish.
How long can freshwater fish go without food?
The fasting durations for freshwater fish can vary, but on average, most freshwater fish can go without food for about 2-3 weeks. However, it’s important to provide them with proper nutrition to ensure their long-term health. Can marine fish survive without feeding for extended periods?