how long will a betta fish last without food and changing water?

Question

I'm going on a mini vacation, and I can't find anyone to take care of my betta fish.

Going away for a week

Answer 1

Most adult aquarium fish, including bettas, will be fine without food for 4 days or more. Unlike many warm-blooded animals they are able to store energy a lot longer. Not feeding them while you’re away is probably a safer option then asking someone unfamiliar with aquaria to do the feedings for you.

For my personal peace of mind, four days is about my cut-off. Sure the fish would probably do fine for 5 or 6 days but if I’m going away that long I like to solicit the help of a professional. For extended vacations you might want to turn to your local aquarium club or hire a professional pet-sitter with experience in tropical fish care.

Keep in mind, if your tank is cycled (meaning it has established nitrifying bacteria) the fish will be able to go longer without a water change. A tiny uncycled 1 gallon bowl will need a water change sooner then a fully cycled 10 gallon aquarium.

Answer 2

You don't say how long you are going to be gone.... If it is less than a week, don't worry about your betta. Feed him well up to the day before you leave and do a 50% water change the night before you go away. He should be fine.

Most tropical fish can go up to two weeks without food. However, if he is in a small bowl, the water will foul with his own waste before you come back. If he is in an aquarium with a filter, go ahead and go on vacation and have fun.

If he is in a small bowl, why don't you take him with you? Leave him in your hotel room and you can take care of him as you do at home. Just don't leave him in your car, the sun can turn a car into an oven that will kill him in short order.

Answer 3

I would say 2 or 3 days without clean water. Probably a little longer without food (if the water is clean).
Why don't you just go down to WalMart and buy one of those little 1 gallon aquariums. They only cost about $10.00 (at least they did 2 or 3 years ago), and they come with EVERYTHING you need to set up. It's probably more healthy for your betta anyway. This way you don't have to worry about the water staying clean (it comes with a small pump).
As far as the food goes: You can buy these weekend feeders that just look like a little rock in the bottom of the tank. You just drop it in before you leave. Of course, I don't know how long you will be gone, or if you can buy them to last more than a weekend. If WalMart doesn't have these, check your local pet shop.
GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 4

HE WILL DIE IF YOU DON'T LEAVE HIM ANYTHING FOR A WEEK let alone 3. Go to the local pet store, but a timed release feeder (hanges on the side of the tank, you add food and it will realease at a certain time everyday), its like $10 at walmart, or go to petsmart or petco, and get a drop feeder (it goes in the tank and slowly the fish can eat away at it, and they sell different sizes ranging from 7 days to a month). just go and ask and make sure you find the appropriate type for a betta, not just any feeder will work. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Do you have your beta in a vase with a plant or just a little bowl? I had a vase (Have had several) and I changed my water about 1 time per week and I fed the fish about every other day. I noticed that he did eat on the roots of the plant. I heard some say that you never had to feed him because he would eat the roots but I was afraid to trust that. Anyway, My fish lived with me in Louisiana for about 4 months and when I moved to Alabama, he came with me and lived for another 2 years.

Answer 6

Well, it depends...how long is a mini vacation??? If that's about a week....hmmm....it should last. But don't you have any friends that you could just sort of give the fish to for however long you are gone? That would be so much better for him!

Answer 7

I think the other person had it right if you are gone for more than 2 days bring him with you I have travelled with my beta in a 2liter bottle. (plant and all).
I got some strange looks when I went grocery shopping before we got to the cabin....but he (the fish)was quite happy!

Answer 8

a week will be fine

if worried change some water before you go
and get him some live blood worms when hes hungry he will go and get them from the bottom

Answer 9

look in yellow pages get a pet sittt5er they are cheap call around for best prices

Answer 10

Put it in the neighbor's pond.