Question about Betas, Please Help!?

Question

I've "Inherited" two Male Betas. I am new to my area, and going on vacation for almost two weeks for the holidays. My friend, original owner of the fish, say to throw some algae pellets in the fish bowls, and that they'll be fine. I don't know anyone I can leave the fish with. How can I ensure that they survive while I'm gone? Is there a product that will release food ever so often? Silly question, I know, but I want to make sure they'll be alright while I'm gone. Thanks in advance for your help!

Alicia and Denise, thank you both for your help! I'm on my way to the store right now! ;-)

Answer 1

If these guys are not in filtered tanks, I would be afraid to leave them for 2 weeks with no water change. But that's me. Others may feel the same, and others may feel differently, this is a personal opinion-type thing. As far as food, that's a big thing too. I do know they sell something called "Beta Blocks", which are vacation feeders. They don't fall apart as easily as the other block type feeders do. I tried them this year for the first time when I went away for only a week, and it worked fine without fouling the water too much more then normal. I was pleasantly surprised. BUT, I don't know about 2 weeks, that would scare me. Can't the friend that gave these guys to you take care of them for you?? A neighbor? It's not like they take up much space!!

Unfortunately, the only option you will have if you don't have anyone to fish sit is to take your chances. But I have to say, prepare yourself before you do it that they might not be alive when you get home. There is really no way to tell. I've seen fish make it through stuff I've never seen before, and I've seen fish well taken care of that had died of no apparent reason. It's the luck of the draw. The unfortunate thing here is that since they are in unfiltered tanks, the ammonia levels will build up quicker, and that will be the thing that kills them in those 2 weeks moreso then anything else. If that makes sense.

I wish I could help you out more, but that's about it in a nutshell. You can also check out this site to look for more info, it's a great site: http://bcaquatics.com/default.aspx
You might want to e-mail Chris and ask him his opinion on what to do, I'm sure he'd be happy to give you his opinion and thoughts on it.

Good luck!! ;o)

Answer 2

Don't throw anything in the water and leave the container unsupervised for two weeks. The best way to handle the "vacation problem" is to leave the fish in nice,clean water.
Stop feeding about two days before departure(this is to let the fish empty their digestive systems),and on the day of departure do a nice partial water change,with careful siphoning. Your fish will thrive in the clean water and will survive quite well without food for a fortnight. Make sure that tank temperatures will be consistent.
Enjoy your holiday and don't worry about feeding,two weeks is not a long fast for most fish,and clean water is much more important than feeding. I use this procedure two or three times a year when we go away for extended periods of time and we have never lost a fish. I promise that if the water is clean and the temperature constant your fish will be fine.
One more thing those"vacation feeder blocks" are guaranteed to pollute your water. They have killed more fish than they have nourished. Also even the best intentioned of friends will wind up overfeeding your pets,unless you can find an experienced fish-keeper to handle the feeding(and water changes), your fish will be safer alone.
Good luck,and remember it takes a very long time to starve a fish,but polluted water will kill quickly. Enjoy the holiday and don't worry,they'll be fine.

Answer 3

There are what they call food pyramids that denigrates in the water. This is very bad for their water, especially if there is no filter. They might be dead by the time you get back. There are electric feeders that deposits food on a schedule. These can be expensive and if your bettas are in bowls, this may not be an option. Bettas are not vegetarians, I don't think some algae tablets are going to cut the mustard for them. Is there anyone who can stop by your house to feed them now and then? They don't need fed every day, but if someone could stop by maybe every other day or so that would be the best idea.

Answer 4

Food Pyramid is your best option. I have seen it in petco.
Now you might want to place it in the water before you leave. the reason why is because bettas take two t three days to re adjust to food. so they wont eat for those two days, the water will be polluted.

make sure you tank is not an small one beacuse two much crap in a small tank (size of a glass cup) can increase the nitrate and kill your fish.

and last make sure to change the water right before leaving.

Answer 5

there are products out there. But most fish can easily go two weeks without food and be fine. Most of the weekend feeders and automatic feeders have problems that'll occur.

Answer 6

There are these little round tablets they sell at PetSmart and walmart that are called VACATION FEEDERS. You drop a tablet in the bowl and it releases food to the fish daily while you are gone.
They come in different sizes depending on how long you are going to be gone (up to two weeks) we use them all the time with out betas and have never come home to dead fish. Good luck and have fun on your vacation!