Has anyone brought a betta fish to work - not feeding it on weekends?

Question

Was considering bringing my betta to work but was concerned about it not getting fed on the weekends - especially, if they usually get fed twice a day. Was told by PetSmart not to worry about it and that bettas can go longer without food and still be okay. A co-worker of mine has one on her desk and says she's gone 4 days before without feeding hers. I haven't brought mine to work yet though. Don't have the heart to starve the little thing 2 out of 7 days every week. Would love to hear from others who possibly have a betta at work and don't feed it every day.

Answer 1

I dont feed mine everyday...One i have is almost 4 years old, i mean I have had him for almost four years...The other i have had about 2 years...They live in a small area and do not need to be fed everyday, mine have gone a week before a feeding...

Answer 2

I have owned Bettas for years. They have to eat mostly everyday and fed at least 2 times a day. Feed them Betta pellets, they are not plant eaters. No more than 9 pellets a day. I like to break it up to 3 pellets morning - noon- night. Some fish eat a little less, like 6 pellets a day. If they leave excess food clean it out of the water, (or it will make it toxic) and do not feed as much the next time.
Make sure they see you are going to feed them, so it does not just float in the tank, they should eat within a few minutes.
Fast them 1 or 2 days out of the week. So not feeding them on weekends works out well. Also be careful not to over feed them.
Read the label on the Betta food container. Never go longer than 3 days with out feeding, but DO NOT make that a habit.

Answer 3

I have owned Betta's most of the time when I have fish. Most fish can go a couple of days or longer without food. There is usually food at the bottom of the tank..most fish are bottom feeders as well as eating the fresh food at the top. If you still feel uncomfortable about leaving the fish for the weekend....you can buy weekend feeders. They are special tablets you put in the tanks that release food and are limited to like 2 days..or some can go a week or 2...But Betta's are also picky eaters..so you might want to ask the pet shop which tablets are best for Betta's..but they do work..and they do relieve the worry that you have about starving them.

Answer 4

You would be fine! Bettas have become a great part of decor in homes and office. Bettas won't starve after 2 or 3 days in fact. They have slow metabolic rates. They don't require a great deal of food. People sometimes forget WHERE the fish actually comes from. Bettas or Siamese fighting fish, come from the Nile river basin, which, is primarily sand and silt. The quality of life they have here in freshwater alone, is majestic. I would suggest a bright blue one. The color alone gives you a peaceful feeling watching the Betta swim gracefully in his bowl. You need not an air pump for him either. Remember, where they come from. Change his water a couple times a week without using tap or chlorinated water. Get yourself a nice jug of spring water for him. Good Luck and enjoy.

Answer 5

don't. bettas have no place in work, they are not decorations, they are living things. bettas need at least a gallon of water, without filtration the water needs to be changed every three days.

ideal for a betta is 5 gallons with a filter and heater (they need temps of around 75-80, does your work turn the heat back at night or on the weekends?)

if you have your betta in a tank with a heater and filter and are planning on taking the whole 5 gallon tank with filter and heater to work then it will be fine. if you have your betta in a bowl or vase or anything without filtration not being fed for a day or two is the least of it's worries. the misconception that bettas are fine in these things was spread by chain stores that just want to make money, what person wouldn't want such a low maintenance pet?

Answer 6

All fish can go a couple days without our feeding them. I've often seen betta's swimming around in a vase that has plant growing out of it. I like that! Mine's in an aquarium tho, lol. His little stomach is only as big as his eye is so he can't and shouldn't eat much at a time anyway. If there is a plant in the bowl/vase then he'll have something to nibble on, which is natural. He'll not starve.

Answer 7

Bettas can go weeks without food.
Here;s a little more about them ypu probably don't know:
~They can survive for 10 minuites out of water. They origanlly come from puddles in rice fields. When their puddle dries up they flop around till they find a new one.
~they can actually drown. They are lazy and if your tank gets up around 3 feet or deeper they just stop going to get air.
~The smaller the space the less they eat. They aer usually not fed AT ALL in the store. There is no need
~They can be shipped in about a tablespoon or water in a tiny bag. They really only need to stay wet

Answer 8

He will be fine not eating for 2 days. Bettas are very hardy fish, that is why you see them many times in betta bowls with out heaters or lights. If you are worried about it, you can get a weekend feeder from Wal-Mart or PetsMart. That should put your mind at ease because the weekend feeders are designed for just that, to feed your fish over the weekend without doing harm to it like overfeeding. (When used correctly)

Answer 9

You know, I have had an ordinary goldfish but I'm pretty sure it was a Betta.
It went for days without food and was fine, it was fine until I started to feed it more regularly.
Start feeding your fish once every 2/3 days. if you are worried about starving it then put plants in the tank/bowl that the fish lives in.
If the fish is hungry it can help itself to the plant and eat.

Answer 10

Fish can go along time without eating,a week end,even a long weekend, would be OK.Years ago I had an Oscar go on a hunger strike for months,he finally showed up a his old feeding spot and resumed a normal diet,and lived for several years and a move to a new house before finally dieing of old age. Good luck,PeeTee