Fish overfed while on holiday, when should I feed them again?

Question

Hi, I have a mixed tropical tank with mollys, platys, tetras, a plec and a fancy goldfish (I know he shouldnt really be in there but he has been for a year and has been fine) I have been on holiday for the last week and came back last night to a cloudy tank and fish with poo's hanging out of their bums. I have checked the food and they seem to have been fed an awful lot! I tested the water, Ammonia fine, Nitrite & nitrate up, PH off, so have changed some of the water and put some PH adjuster in. The water is now clear again. How long should I wait before feeding the fish, they were last fed about 48 hours ago. A couple of the platys still have trails of poo. I have spoken to the person who was supposed to be looking after them, he had been left with instructions to feed them a tiny amount every day, but it seems his idea of tiny is very different to mine!

Answer 1

This happened to me too with my brothers caring for my aquarium while I was away. They didn't understand my directions so they over fed on accident.

I always fed everyother day- and I stuck to that. but they fed everyday- and it got a bit messy.

If the last time they were fed was 48 hours ago- go ahead and feed them- only what they will eat in 30 seconds.

if you're an every day feeder- skip tomorrow then feed the next day- if things look good and you want to be safe- skip the day after that, then go back to the regular schedule of feeding. Keep an eye on them and I'm sure they'll be fine.

Next time- you may want to consider a holiday feeder. In pet stores and aquatic stores they have enriched feeders (They look like a peice of chalk)

It can feed your fish from 4 to 7 days depending on the type you buy.

The fish just go and nibble off of it when they are hungry.

When I had a freshie tank I'd put in the 4 day feeder, feed zucchini peices for my certian fish, and every other day I'd drop in their normal diet. it prevented overfeeding- gave them a good extra suppliment to their diet, and helped keep the water cleaner longer.

You have to be careful tho- some feeders can change the chemistry of your water. I accumulated my water chemistry to include vacation feeders- so the PH and levels are all on.

introducing a feeder can cause it to go off wack.

if you have an aquatics store near you that specializes in just fish and their needs- talk to one of the reps their about weekend/vacation feeders and if its right for you. ^_^

http://www.bestfish.com/vacfoodpa.html
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441782188&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030063&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1178301488975&itemNo=52&Nao=48&In=Fish&N=2030063&Ne=2
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778018&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030063&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1178301489558&itemNo=70&Nao=48&In=Fish&N=2030063&Ne=2

Answer 2

You don't mention any are fry, so I'll assume all are adult or close to it.

Your fish sound not only overfed, but constipated from the amount of food they got. Since you've already waited two days, it would be okay to go ahead and feed them a normal -sized meal. If they've still got the long, stringy poo, try feeding them some cooked peas with the skin off - the extra fiber will help with their constipation.

PS - Next vacation, get snack-sized ziplock bags and make prepackaged meals and date them - keep them in the fridge so they stay fresh. Then hide the rest of the food. Best way there is to prevent "well intentioned fishsitters" from overfeeding. ;)

Answer 3

Just because they were overfed during that week doesn't mean they can last a long time before eating again. Think about it, just say you stuff yourself and feel sick at Thanksgiving dinner. Chances are, you're hungry again by breakfast. I know their systems are different, but it's the same idea. The main reason I think you aren't supposed to overfeed fish is because the water will get dirty, as you have witnessed. So feed them today or tomorrow, and resume normal feeding patterns. And keep doing partial water changes until everything is back to normal, which it sounds like you are doing anyway.
And next time you go away for a week, your fish will probably be okay without food. Or premeasure food for your fish-sitter, so they can't overfeed.
Good luck and happy fishkeeping!

Answer 4

They're probably hungry again. They should only go 3 days or so without eating at all.

I recommend you keep testing the water though, and keep doing changes until your levels are good again (ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate under 25 mg/l.) That nitrite is really toxic and the nitrates can cause fungus and weaken your fish.

Answer 5

You've already done the right thing, which is doing a water change! I would go ahead a feed them, but about half of what you normally do. Do the same for the next feeding, and then return to your normal schedule. Keep an eye on the levels too. Let us know how they do!

P.S. Maybe start finding the goldfish a proper home? :)

Answer 6

You should wait another day or so. untill they dont look bloated or stop pooping constantly. Fish will eat even though they are not hungry. And will eat them selves to death. So it wont hurt them to wait a while, obviously they've had enough food to last them a while! And i'd get someone else to babysit your fish next time!

Answer 7

So you have fat fish ;) don't worry. I would think that 48 hours would be fine, but if you still have some platy's that are digesting, then I would wait another day.

Answer 8

OVERFeEDING?Remember u have a whole lot a fish leave em for another 24 hours and feed em

Answer 9

as long as there still all ok id say you can go ahead and feed just alittle again today. and then go ahead back on your normal schedule.. you dont want them to die now from not having food.

Answer 10

When they lose a little of that weight....You gotta be tough on them or they'll have you running around serving them. Let them know who's boss....