How should I feed my Bettas while I'm on Vacation?

Question

1. I will be gone for 10 days and I have no idea what to do? Will leaving them alone without food be ok? I really hate the idea of doing that but if I have to I can.

3. A fish sitter would probably be the best thing to do, but i'm weary of someone coming into my house without taking anything. So whats the minimum time he/she can come in without my fish starving?

3. Are there any decent operating Automatic fish Feeders that aren't too expensive?

4. Would the 3 day feeders blocks be acceptable to use?

Thank you all in advance for your help =)

Answer 1

Don't feed them at all. A fish sitter is going to overfeed or do something else that might harm your fish. Your bettas will not even come close to starving to death. Feeder blocks will pollute your tank, and automatic feeders won't be able to give out the tiny quantities that a betta requires. I had to go on vacation for a month once, and I didn't feed my fish the whole time. I didn't have a single fish death.

Answer 2

OK, first thing: Is your betta in a bowl or tank?

If a bowl, you do need someone to do a water change at least once. And with a bowl, you DEFINITELY want to make sure that your betta is not being overfed - bowls don't have enough water to be forgiving if someone makes a mistake. Blocks are also a big no for that reason.

If your betta is in a tank, you have a LITTLE more latitude. I have a betta and a few otos in a 10 gallon, and I change the water every 2-4 weeks, but that's because that tank is lightly stocked. More fish, more water changes. In a 5 gallon tank, a single betta would be fine for 10 days without a water change, assuming you did a water change right before you left.

WRT feeding, I think you can let your betta go 3-5 days without food. DO NOT take the advice of putting a LOT of food in before you leave - the food the betta does not eat or absorb will foul the water. I'm also leery of auto feeders because bettas are a bit tricky to feed. You need to drop the food right by them or they won't eat it, and you can't guarantee that an autofeeder will do that.

I'd say have your pet sitter come by at least every 3 days. Make sure they know how to feed the fish properly, and how to do a water change if needed. If you're getting a pet-sitting service, look for one that's been in business for several years, and preferably one that's bonded or insured, and ask for references. Then you should have no reason to worry about having them come in when you're not home. I have a pet-sitting service that just has my key, so that I can call them and ask them to drop by when I have to travel or go away for the weekend. I don't use them much, but it's great to know that I have that backup for times when I have to go somewhere.

Answer 3

1. You're feeding too much. Overfeeding Bettas leads to swim bladder disorders. Cut out at least one of those feedings. 2. Tell your friend to feed 3 pellets. Once. 3. Your Betta really should have some variety in his life. Frozen Bloodworms, Glass Worms, and Brine Shrimp are good choices. Always reserve one day per week for fasting. (This will help prevent swim bladder issues as well.) Edit: Package instructions are wrong. The fish food companies, just like filter and heater companies, greatly over exaggerate. They don't care about your fish. they care about lining their pockets. That is too much to feed a Betta.

Answer 4

Betta Fish Feeder

Answer 5

10 days is too long to go without food...and a water change.

You can't use a feeder block because Bettas feed at the top of the water, and the blocks are for bottom-feeders.

Can you leave them at someone's place, or even ask a vet or pet store if they'd be willing to board them (you'll have to pay but not much.).

I boarded my betta at a vet's for 4 months once, when our house was being drywalled, because of all the dust.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

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Don't worry about it, it's perfectly OK if your friend feeds your fish once every other day. Underfeeding, if it's for a short time doesn't hurt the fish. While you are away, it's actually better if he is underfed: people tend to think that "poor fish looks so hungry" and to make sure they are properly they are properly fed they put more food in the tank, so that the fish can eat it later. Which of course spoils the water and causes much more problems. Make sure very your friend understands this. I suggest giving your Betta 3-4 pellets every other day, to make sure he doesn't eat too much at once. When you come back slowly you can return to his original diet. An old neighbor who only saw fish on her dinner plate is our pet sitter, so to make her job easier I prepare the fish food in tiny boxes, so all she has to do poor the content of the boxes in the tank every day (:

Answer 7

I think you should just get someone to go to your house to feed the fish. I'm pretty sure bettas will be perfectly fine for 5 days without being fed.

Answer 8

Fish can go a few days without food, I personally would go with a 5 or 7 day feeding block as to not pollute the water so much. Put it in when you leave.

Adding 2 three day blocks will only pollute your tank more...

Answer 9

1 10 days is a little long for a betta to go without food. weekends are fine.

2. every other day would be a good plan for betta sitting.

3. you can get electric feeders at walmart for about 15 dollars.

4 feeder blocks are really bad for unfiltered tanks -- they are mostly plaster and will mess up the water especially if its unfiltered.

Answer 10

They have 7-day food blocks. Get one of those, and then a 3 day food block. That way, it equals 10 days.

Never leave an animal without food, no matter what kind it is.