How long can fish be left without food?

Hey FishLore people - this is a two-part question....

I'm going away for 8 days soon, and I'm almost certain I've read before that they'll be absolutely fine so long as I feed them just before I go away and when I get back. Is that correct?

The second part, which is born out of curiosity more than anything, is how long can fish be left without food? When is it best to leave the fish with an auto-feeder, or to pay someone to look after them etc etc.

I have zero plans to go away for longer; like I said, it's a question born out of curiosity.

 

They should be fine, but an auto-feeder wouldn't hurt. I trust those more than other people...

Bottom line, if in doubt, an auto-feeder is probably worth the investment.

 

I leave 10 days regularly and the fish are fine. Don't feed extra before you leave just feed as normal.

 

2 weeks is definitely fine, and I’d be comfortable going to 3 weeks if the tank is mature. If you’re feeding them in the interim, I’d do a single normal (premeasured) feeding in the middle, and not rely on regular feeding from a random person or a feeder. Too much possibility of systematic error.

Also, if you’re feeding normally you likely need a water change. With less feeding, the water will be cleaner.

 

They should be fine, but an auto-feeder wouldn't hurt. I trust those more than other people...

Bottom line, if in doubt, an auto-feeder is probably worth the investment.

Oh, I actually have two or three auto-feeders, but I thought I'd seen a load of people suggesting that they are a bad idea because if they fail, all the food could fall in the tank and cause a ammonia spike.

I leave 10 days regularly and the fish are fine. Don't feed extra before you leave just feed as normal.

Thanks

2 weeks is definitely fine, and I’d be comfortable going to 3 weeks if the tank is mature. If you’re feeding them in the interim, I’d do a single normal (premeasured) feeding in the middle, and not rely on regular feeding from a random person or a feeder. Too much possibility of systematic error.

Also, if you’re feeding normally you likely need a water change. With less feeding, the water will be cleaner.

Thanks

 

Oh, I actually have two or three auto-feeders, but I thought I'd seen a load of people suggesting that they are a bad idea because if they fail, all the food could fall in the tank and cause a ammonia spike.

Thanks

Thanks

I still trust them before i trust another human taking care of my cats or fish!!

 

I still trust them before i trust another human taking care of my cats or fish!!

Auto-feeder it is then! I assume they are better than just leaving the fish for 8 days with nothing?

I don't have to worry about the dog, she's coming with!

 

Auto-feeder it is then! I assume they are better than just leaving the fish for 8 days with nothing?

I don't have to worry about the dog, she's coming with!

Auto-feeders tend to feed too much. What fish do you have?

 

Auto-feeders tend to feed too much. What fish do you have?

* 2 SAE
* 3 Ellioti Cichlids
* 2 Apistogramma Cactoides

(soon to be added ramshorn snails)

 

For that you only need to feed them once within the week. Just portion out the amount for 1 feeding and have a family member add it in a few days into the trip

 

I assume they are better than just leaving the fish for 8 days with nothing?

I honestly think fasting is better. They’re not like people, they don’t know when food’s coming in the wild. They will forage on microfauna and leftovers. It helps clear their digestive system and will keep the water quality high.

 

I'm in the "fasting" camp. if you must go, clean up the tank before you go, and fast them.
10-14 days isn't going to be a big deal, they'll graze on algae and stuff if they get hungry enough to get by.

clean it up good so nitrates are low, and GH KH and pH are good for the fish you keep, no food, no poops and minimal waste when you return, then when you get back, frequent small feedings to get them back into the swing of things, don't overdo it and feed big when you return.

 

For that you only need to feed them once within the week. Just portion out the amount for 1 feeding and have a family member add it in a few days into the trip

I honestly think fasting is better. They’re not like people, they don’t know when food’s coming in the wild. They will forage on microfauna and leftovers. It helps clear their digestive system and will keep the water quality high.

I'm in the "fasting" camp. if you must go, clean up the tank before you go, and fast them.
10-14 days isn't going to be a big deal, they'll graze on algae and stuff if they get hungry enough to get by.

clean it up good so nitrates are low, and GH KH and pH are good for the fish you keep, no food, no poops and minimal waste when you return, then when you get back, frequent small feedings to get them back into the swing of things, don't overdo it and feed big when you return.

Thanks all Fasting is probably my only option anyway as I don't have people around me that could feed them.

As it's only eight days, I'll probably leave them without any automatic feeders - just in case the worst happens.

Thankfully the tank is quite under-stocked now, so they should be perfectly fine.

 

Thanks all Fasting is probably my only option anyway as I don't have people around me that could feed them.

As it's only eight days, I'll probably leave them without any automatic feeders - just in case the worst happens.

Thankfully the tank is quite under-stocked now, so they should be perfectly fine.

leading up you'd want them well fed, then cut them off feedings a day or two before you go and water change and it should hold pretty well, and so should the fish, for the duration.

 

A degree of "fasting" is healthy anyhow, regardless of owners going on holidays.
I feed fish around 4 times a week. If I spot fry, I increase a bit.

All in all, there are a few factors to take into account, such as fish's diet (algae versus meat); bare tanks cleaned frequently by owners vs critter friendly tanks; season/temp.

 

I just moved and I had two clownfish and a tang in a storage tank they didn't eat for 3 weeks. They would not touch food. They are all happy and eating in the tank now! So 10 days no problem. Maybe give them an extra feeding day you leave. They will be excited to see you walk through the door though

 

I personally have had horrible luck with auto feeder malfunction and came home to a completely dead tank. Not worth the hassle when the fish will be fine without. If you are worried about it then its easier to just have someone come by once and put a predetermined amount in.