2006-12-04 15:47:00 · 20 answers · asked by umrebels 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Have the neighbor do it.
Coach
2006-12-04 15:53:54 · answer #1 · answered by Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use an automatic feeder because if it fails, you've just wasted your money, and if your fish doesn't eat all the food dumped into it's tank each day, the food will rot. Don't use those "vacation cubes" that look like plaster because what your fish doesn't immediately eat will rot in the tank for the week you are gone raising the ammonia and nitrite levels (and maybe killing your fish). If your betta is healthy, he can go for a week of no food without any problem (he'll just be hungry and glad to see you when you return). Do a cleaning and water change before you leave so he has a clean tank to be in, do a regular feeding, make sure the heater and everything work. If possible, get a friend to come in (at least once in the middle of the week if possible) just to check (don't have him feed the fish--too often a non-fish keeper will overfed the fish and kill it) to make sure the heater is still working properly, and the fish is swimming around still. When you return, immediately do a water change/cleaning and fed your guy (just a regular feeding, don't overfeed or he could become constipated or worse). I've gone away for 2 weeks and the bettas were fine. Turning out the light will help keep him calm (he'll think it's night all the time, less active) but it might affect your plants to be without light for a week. Make sure the tank isn't close to a heat source or direct sunlight.
2006-12-05 00:10:31 · answer #2 · answered by Inundated in SF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Healthy fish can go for a week without food. In fact, many fishkeepers intentionally make their fish fast one day a week-there is evidence that allowing fish to go hungry for a day or so here and there allows their digestive systems to clean out and rest. Some studies have shown that fish who fast like this live longer. Certainly in the wild fish would not eat everyday.
Do not just dump in extra food, don't use those blocks of vacation food, and be careful with automatic feeders or helpful friends who might overfeed. Remember whatever food you put in the water of your tank/bowl, whether your Betta eats it or not, it is polluting the system. Since you won't be around to change the water for a week you don't need extra waste in the water. Your Betta will be fine - just let him fast while you are gone.
2006-12-05 15:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by Rags to Riches 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately there is. The pet stores have fish food that's packed into a ball that you can press onto the glass of the aquarium, or a food that you can drop into the tank that is a slow release food to feed your fish. Better ask if it will work for a Betta. I know they have special food for Bettas, so check to see if this would be suitable. Some fish stores also sell live food. There are worms that you can get, buy a portion and put those into the tank. If there is gravel in the tank, the worms will migrate into the gravel and the Betta can feed from there. If all else fails, have a co-worker or friend take your Betta until you return. Happy trails!
2006-12-04 23:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by a10cowgirl 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Betta fish usually eat off the plants that are on top of their fish bowls... if you have the plant then just let it live off that for 5 days... but if you have the betta fish food, dont put extra in there, or he will die from eating too much, cause fish cant tell when they are full and they just eat til they die... just bring the fish with you, like in a small container with holes on top (like when you bought him) Thats better than taking the chance of over or under feeding him.
2006-12-04 23:54:44 · answer #5 · answered by KC 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't put in extra food. Most bettas won't eat any food once it has sunk, and it'll just rot.
Can you get someone to come in once and feed him? If he goes 3-4 days without food, it'll be fine.
Otherwise, try to pick up some small ghost shrimp. The betta will eat them if he gets hungry enough.
If none of those is possible, just feed him lots of food before you leave and hope for the best. I think he will be okay but it would really be better if you can get someone to feed him once or twice.
2006-12-04 23:52:48 · answer #6 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
They make fish food that dissolves slowly over a week's time for such a scenario... most any pet store will have it and its cheap.
If you really want to make the fish go crazy while you're away (or even when you're not LOL) put a mirror next to the tank. Betas go nuts
2006-12-04 23:55:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, I think it will be fine. I don't feed mine every day, and he's been alive 5 yrs. You can buy week-end feeders at the pet store or places like walmart. If you have a friend, maybe they could feed him.
2006-12-04 23:51:38 · answer #8 · answered by bobbie v 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is there anybody you trust to come over and feed them for you? But that would mean someone would have your key and access to your house. Can you take their tanks over to somebody else's house for a few days? Be sure it's somebody who doesn't have cats though.
2006-12-04 23:51:42 · answer #9 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
use these food blocks they dissolve slowly and feed the fish while ur on vacation they come in diff variations according to how long you will be away...Plus theyre readily available at most petstores!
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=9957&Nav=1&N=24+30+4866&Ntt=fish&cp=6&Nao=60&sku=38466&familyID=3399&
Ive tried these a number of times and they work great...
2006-12-05 23:39:28 · answer #10 · answered by MyStEriOuS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haha whatever you do...dont put a little bit extra thinking that he'll eat it over the days lol he'll eat it all at once. i thought it would work for my betta fish..no it didnt. he popped because of too much food lol..give it to a friend or family member you trust...or a person lol
2006-12-04 23:50:34 · answer #11 · answered by itsamberduh33 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋