Question: How do I feed my fish when I'm on vacation?
Answer: In answer to the reader question:
"We are going on vacation soon and don't know what to do about our fish. The pet shop has feeder blocks. Are those a good idea? What other options are there?"
I do not recommend using feeder blocks while you are away, due to the fact that they can impact the water chemistry. There are two relatively easy options for you. One is to find a fish sitter to care for your fish in your absence. The other option is to simply let your fish go unfed while you are gone. Before you faint at the second option, read on.
Don't Feed Them!
Living in a watery environment has its advantages - fish don't have to wait for you to give them a drink. As for food, they are quite capable of going for several days without a meal. In fact, healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. That doesn't mean you should routinely skip feedings, however they can safely be left without food over a long holiday weekend. Do keep in mind that food is not the only concern when going away.
The water temperature should remain fairly constant, and the light should be turned off at night and on in the morning. Lighting is easy to handle by purchasing a timer. No need to get a fancy one, just something that will turn the lights on and off once each day. I'd put the light on a timer and leave it that way all the time. That way the day/night cycle is standard, and you have one less thing to do each day.
Temperature is only a concern if the room temperature is in danger of rising to dangerously high levels. Fish are accustomed to cyclic changes in temperature, but if the change is dramatic the stress will make them susceptible to disease (not to mention the fact that high temps tend to cook your fish). Set your air conditioning to kick in if the room temperature rises above 80, and your fish will be quite comfortable while you are away. If you do not have air conditioning, it is wise to arrange for someone to come in and check the fish in the event of a heat wave.
Another important factor is the condition your fish are in when you leave on vacation. Just before leaving examine them to ensure that none of them appear to be sick. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a fish shop before leaving. Otherwise you risk coming home to a tank of sick or dying fish.
Fish Sitter
If you are going on an extended vacation (more than a week), you should have someone tend your fish. The most important thing to impress upon your helper is that they should not overfeed your fish. Excess food will foul the tank, and can prove lethal. Many fish will "beg" for more food even when they are well fed (Angelfish are notorious for begging), but should not be indulged.
Go to a discount or drug store and purchase an inexpensive plastic pill dispenser - one that has a compartment for each day of the week. The week before you leave, as you feed your fish place the same amount of food in one of the pill compartments. By the end of the week you will have the next week's feedings all prepared for your helper. All they have to do is open the dispenser each day and put the food in the tank.
Be sure to provide your fish sitter with a number to reach you at, as well as the number of your pet shop. Regardless of whether you have a fish sitter or not, if you prepare ahead of time you can safely go on trips. Here is a handy checklist of things to do before you leave. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.
Checklist Before Leaving
Clean the tank well the week before you leave
Completely top off the tank with water the day before you leave
Check the water temperature to verify it's in the proper range
Check the filter and make sure it's running at full capacity
Carefully examine all the fish to ensure they are healthy
If you have a fish sitter, measure food into a dispenser for them
Give your fish sitter your number and the number of the local pet shop
"We are going on vacation soon and don't know what to do about our fish. The pet shop has feeder blocks. Are those a good idea? What other options are there?"
I do not recommend using feeder blocks while you are away, due to the fact that they can impact the water chemistry. There are two relatively easy options for you. One is to find a fish sitter to care for your fish in your absence. The other option is to simply let your fish go unfed while you are gone. Before you faint at the second option, read on.
Don't Feed Them!
Living in a watery environment has its advantages - fish don't have to wait for you to give them a drink. As for food, they are quite capable of going for several days without a meal. In fact, healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. That doesn't mean you should routinely skip feedings, however they can safely be left without food over a long holiday weekend. Do keep in mind that food is not the only concern when going away.
The water temperature should remain fairly constant, and the light should be turned off at night and on in the morning. Lighting is easy to handle by purchasing a timer. No need to get a fancy one, just something that will turn the lights on and off once each day. I'd put the light on a timer and leave it that way all the time. That way the day/night cycle is standard, and you have one less thing to do each day.
Temperature is only a concern if the room temperature is in danger of rising to dangerously high levels. Fish are accustomed to cyclic changes in temperature, but if the change is dramatic the stress will make them susceptible to disease (not to mention the fact that high temps tend to cook your fish). Set your air conditioning to kick in if the room temperature rises above 80, and your fish will be quite comfortable while you are away. If you do not have air conditioning, it is wise to arrange for someone to come in and check the fish in the event of a heat wave.
Another important factor is the condition your fish are in when you leave on vacation. Just before leaving examine them to ensure that none of them appear to be sick. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a fish shop before leaving. Otherwise you risk coming home to a tank of sick or dying fish.
Fish Sitter
If you are going on an extended vacation (more than a week), you should have someone tend your fish. The most important thing to impress upon your helper is that they should not overfeed your fish. Excess food will foul the tank, and can prove lethal. Many fish will "beg" for more food even when they are well fed (Angelfish are notorious for begging), but should not be indulged.
Go to a discount or drug store and purchase an inexpensive plastic pill dispenser - one that has a compartment for each day of the week. The week before you leave, as you feed your fish place the same amount of food in one of the pill compartments. By the end of the week you will have the next week's feedings all prepared for your helper. All they have to do is open the dispenser each day and put the food in the tank.
Be sure to provide your fish sitter with a number to reach you at, as well as the number of your pet shop. Regardless of whether you have a fish sitter or not, if you prepare ahead of time you can safely go on trips. Here is a handy checklist of things to do before you leave. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.
Checklist Before Leaving
