Leave the Betta Fish?

Question

I have a Betta fish in my preschool classroom. On a normal weekend I leave him at school for Saturday and Sunday making sure I feed in before I leave and first thing in the AM on Monday...but this weekend is a 4 day weekend. I'm not sure if he'll be okay for four days without food. Looking for asny thoughts or suggestions.

Answer 1

Leave the betta, travel can be stressful. get a vacation feeder. it's a small thing usually shaped like a fish or something like that and looks and feels like chalk, it has food that it slowly releases and feeds the fish for you, you can find them at any pet store but be sure to get the one made for bettas. when you go back if there is any of it left in the water just fish it out (no pun intended). it may cause you to have to do a water change a bit sooner.

Answer 2

Bettas are known to be able to last long periods of time without food, hence why they are a very common fish to keep. Although it will be able to make it, i would not suggest it, if i was you, i would bring it home with you for the weekend, or some other staff member. If all else fails, just feed it until the time arrives, then leave it, it should be fine.

Answer 3

You can buy a week end fish feeder at Walmart, and other stores. I'm not sure it would be good for a betta, but you could check.
I have a betta in one of those vases with a plant, and I only feed him a couple times a week, I've had him 3 yrs and even moved him from Va to TN

Answer 4

betta can go without food comfortably for 2 weeks. you might want to get one of those things that you drop in and it slowly dissolves food into the tank. he probably wont eat off of it. feed him frozen food 3 days before you leave and he should be fine when you are gone.

Answer 5

They are tough. We have one that seems to survive everything including having a preschool aged owner.

Food-wise, it will probably make it, even after four days. Clean the bowl and drop a couple extras in there.

I would worry more about temperature if it can get cold.

The smart play might be to bring it home, so you don't have to answer questions about the untimely demise of the "pretty fish." Better safe than sorry...

Answer 6

Not feeding for 4 days is fine, it would be good if you could give him a water change if you want to leave him alone for some time. Bad water condition is worst then not having food for a betta.

Answer 7

Put some extra food in before you leave. Much of it will go to the bottom. If the fish gets hungry later, the food will be available to him. I've kept male Betta's in my office for years and this is what I do on every extended leave...I've never had one die on me yet (at least not due to me being gone for several days).

Answer 8

I would take him home. Make sure you have the same water at home and transport him in the cup (with the lid) he came in. He might be able to survive for days if he is properly conditioned but I would not risk it unless you know how to condition a betta fish. Take him home.

Answer 9

You can get food disks that hang from the side of the bowl/aquarium for just such instances. They are pretty cheap and will keep the fish fine during the break! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Answer 10

They sell "weekend feeders" at Walmart (or any grocery, pet, or discount store) for a buck or two. I'd just grab one of those. Either way... I'm sure he'll be fine. Beta fish are incredibly hardy or they'd never make it into people's homes... have you SEEN how they're kept in stores??? Makes me so sad! I wanna buy 'em all up and give them decent sized bowls!