Fizzle

Everybody, I am about to fly out of town for a trip and I bought this automatic fish feeder and I set it up. When it released, so much food got into the tank. I tried scooping out as much as I could but that didn't help. Now my fish are all bloated. My convict...his stomach is orange (the fish food color) and he looks like he's gonna bust! He's moving slow and the other fish are moving slow. Will they make it? I don't want them to die because of the stupid fish feeder!!! Please help and give me some reassurance that they will be alright! I'm hoping that one time will be alright and they will live!

peacemaker92

So sorry about your problem... What you can do is give them some green peas. Cut of the skin, and cut them into pieces the size of their eye and dip the peas into some garlic juice. The green pea should help soothe their stomachs and the bloating. I've tried it myself and it worked after a few days.

You can get rid of the auto feeder, many members here, myself included, don't trust these things because they can malfunction and the result, is devastating. Thank goodness you were home when it happened. Hope my info helps. Good luck!

Fizzle

do i feed them tomorrow? im going to be out of town from friday to monday.

peacemaker92

You can feed them tomorrow, since you've already fed them today. What time do you leave on friday? You can probably do your last feeding of the week before you leave.

aquarist48

Hello Fizzle. I have to agree that automatic feeders are not the way to go. One's I purchased in the past always clogged. Your fish should be fine without food on Saturday and Sunday and then you can feed them when you get home on Monday.

Peas act as a laxative and are high in protein. It may take a time or two feeding them the peas before they realize that it's food. If you have time before you leave you may want to consider a water change/vacuum to remove all the access food in the substrate so that you don't get an ammonia spike. Use fresh or frozen peas and not canned peas that contain salt. Blanch them or heat them up for a minute to soften them a bit. Slice them in half and remove the skin. Then you can slice them to about the size of the fishes eye. (as their stomach is about as big as one of their eyes).

Travel safely and try not to worry too much.
Keep us posted.
Ken

Shawnie

I wouldnt feed them ...they will be fine for the few days you are gone..and the orange on your con means you have a gal not a boy....their belly wont turn orange from the food

Fizzle

I leave Friday morning at 6. I won't return until Monday afternoon. So, you think the fish will be fine until Monday right if I don't feed them? I woke up this morning and didn't see my convict.... :-( Hope he or she is just sleeping somewhere.

TedsTank

You will not need to feed the from friday til monday....the fish will be fine eagerly waiting for you at the front of the tank.

*** be sure they are all ok after the "auto" feeder experience.*** Sorry, but if one were not to make it while you are gone, that could cause tank problems.

Jaysee

It takes a WHILE to starve to death. Weekend trips don't even require water changes before you leave.

I'm leaving for Bermuda on Saturday and will be gone for a week. My plan of action is to NOT overfeed ahead of time to "make up" for the coming week. I am going to continue feeding normally and do a water change the day before I go. I don't have live plants, so my lights will be off the whole time. I have my girlfriend coming over to feed them halfway through the week, but that's for HER, not the fish (it's good to make her feel needed while I'm not around ).

Nutter

Fish in the wild often go several days or even weeks at a time without any food. Your fish will be absolutley fine if you don't feed them for a few days. Aquarium raised fish are just used to being fed once or twice a day. It's part of thier routine. Going without certainly won't do them any harm. It might even do them some good. i would certainly give the tank a vaccuum & water change before you go though as was mentioned earlier to avoid an ammonia spike. That wold be what is the most dangerous to your fish in your current situation.