I want to put a fish in my office. Nobody is in on weekends to feed it though and the office is dark.?

Question

Any suggestions on what type of fish? Should I leave the light on all weekend for it since it will be pitch black? What type of food or just feed it good Friday and Monday?

Answer 1

The Penn Plax Daily Double is about $11 at Wal-Mart.
http://www.pennplax.com/Pages/Aqua.pages..../Aqua28F.html
I've got clients that only us this and never "manually" feed their fish.

There are others...
http://www.petsolutions.com/Feeders-C-17-C-.aspx

There's ways to get the lighting automated too...
http://www.petsolutions.com/Lighting+Accessories-C-10241-C-.aspx

I maintain aquaria for several offices. They have a totally "hands off" system in most cases. If you consult with a locally owned fish store, they may offer such a service or know someone who does.

Answer 2

Forget automatic feeders, and certainly don't go putting those food blocks into a bowl or tank - they offer nothing but pollutants for the water. The fish can go every weekend without food without any health risks.

Leave the lights off for the weekend. The fish can handle darkness and you won't have to deal with algae as you would leaving them on all weekend.

As for what type of fish - a betta is probably your best bet for a tiny tank of less then 5 gallons. If you were looking at something larger then this, it opens up your options, but you should first mention the container size to get any realistic advise. Pleco's and Goldfish, already mentioned, are very poor ideas since they are both large, long lived, messy fish.

Answer 3

Any healthy adult fish can go a week without food easily. Food blocks, and automatic feeders tend to over fed, and foul the water. As far as the lights check out the reptile section of your local pet store. You can generally find a power timer in the $10-25 range.

As far as types of fish.

-Avoid goldfish. These guys get huge, and need 5-10 gallons per fish.

-Betta are good fish. Ideally a 2.5-5 gallon heated tank with a filter. In an office a bowl isn't very good as bettas need temps in the 75-85F range. Keep in mind male betta won't put up with another betta male or female in his tank.

-Guppy are good for 5-10 gallon tanks. They can take temps in the 64-82F range, but unlike betta they require a filter. (With bettas a filter simply mean you need to change the water less often.)

Answer 4

M Michael has it exactly right! Those "food blocks" are just a recipe for water pollution. A weekly two day fast is good for fish,and for water quality. Don't try to compensate with larger feedings on Friday or Monday,it doesn't help. A timer for the lights would be OK,but not absolutely necessary. If you decide to use a timer leave a small light on some distance from the tank to avoid "photo shock"(sudden bright lights after total darkness). Good luck.---Enjoy your fish.-----PeeTee

Answer 5

Get a betta and 3g tank. As betta's tend to be overfed by most people, they are cute when they beg for food, a few days of fasting is actually good for them.

I have a betta in 5g tank on my desk at work. He lives there with some Rasboras, Ghost shrimp and a Nerite Snail. Had the setup since December. When I am away for the 2 days I have off, I leave the lights on for warmth as well as light, the place gets freezing cold.

Picking out your betta is one of the best parts, check a few places and make sure you get one thats perfect for you.

If you do get a betta and would like more advice feel free to email me.

Answer 6

All fish, however big or small are capable of surviving atleast for 5 days without food. Of course, this does not mean that you starve it but personnallly i feel that 2 days a week without food should do any fish good as it gives a break to its continuous eating regime. This in turn keeps the stomach of the fish clean and induce a healthy eating habit.

Answer 7

most fish will be fine for two days, seeings in the wild they can go over a month without food, i would recommend a digital timer for the tank lights, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use, the blocks you can buy at the fish shop will probably do more harm then good, the best, busiest, and most succesful fish shop in my city, only feeds there fish three times a week, there fish are all happy, healthy, and doing fine. over feeding is the most common cause of death, i would suggest putting in a few fine leafed plants, fish love to eat these, and it also is very good for them, remember goldfish don't have stomachs and will always feel hungry, they just have intestinal tracts.

much luck

Answer 8

You didn't say what size tank you will have. As for the lights, get a timer to turn the lights on. Also as someone else mentioned you could purchase a feeder for the weekends. A Betta would be a good choice if you are getting a tank with a heater. And they will not eat roots off of anything like someone else stated unless they are starving!! But without a heater I would suggest a goldfish.

Answer 9

I would get a betta, just make sure his tank is at least one gallon or larger. There are really nice looking betta set ups that have a lamp and bowl included. I have bettas all over the house and only feed every other day. But I change the water weekly, they are pretty low maintence.

Answer 10

I would suggest a automatic feeder. As for the type of fish that will depend on the type and size of tank you are thinking of keeping. For the lighting I would suggest you put the light on a small appliance timer. Flakes and an assortment of freeze dried foods would work best for you.