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How long can normal aquarium fish go without being fed?

I'm wondering, and excuse the title because I do not know how to describe my fish. I have no clue what type they are. If I forget about feeding my fish for days, I don't want to freak out and think my fish are dead. That's bad for a person on vacation's mind. Answer please. Just wondering because two of my fish died under the filter, and I don't want to lose these two I have left.

Public Comments

1. Your fish can be fed sparingly daily. If you are going to be away, pet stores have time release food tablets and such.
2. two days but if skipped to much there dead by next week my advice pin a note to the inside of your door that way when your about to leave you see it
3. You can buy time release tabs that will feed the fish for like a week,
4. call a GOOD friend someone you can trust get some help .why should you lose any fish .
5. Get the fish cakes - they are white and feed your tank while gone, or if you forget:)
6. I have gone for a week with out feeding my fish and they have been fine. I have cichlids and they don't eat that much. That being said there have been times I forgot to feed my fish and they have eaten one of their buddies instead so I would throw a vacation feeder in the tank before you go.
7. A fish can usually go about 5 days without food, depending on the condition of the tank. One that is more established has food and algae the fish can eat if they are really hungry. A new tank is not as agreeable. If you are worried about them, have someone put in a feeder block (also called a vacation block) and that will last them about 2 weeks or so. It is a white little chunk of stuff that is good for all community tanks. If you have cichlids, that is a another story all together. I would have someone put in a couple of leaves of fresh, clean lettuce and let them eat on that for awhile. You will probably need to change part of the water when you get back though. Go to your usual pet store and tell them you need advice on what to get your fish. Take a quick picture of them with your cell phone or some digital device and show the store personnel what kind of fish they are. If the store has any good people in it at all, they will point you in the right direction. If not, send me a picture and I'll let you know. Good luck!!
8. i've kept aquariums for about 10 yrs now. i've found that they only need to be fed every 3-4 days. some people feed them every day but it's not necessary. most people like to feed their fish too much because that's really the only interaction you have with them. but they could usually go 3-4 days with no food. even if it was 5-6 on vacation, i doubt they'd die. if you're going to leave them for an extended time, try an extended food release tablet in the tank.
9. they need fed once daily.if you don't have the time to care for them, then why have them at all.
10. you better not keep fish.
11. days at a time
12. I have a salt water aquarium and two tropical aquarium with plants. In it are loaches, platys, mollys and guppies. I go away EVERY week-end from Friday night to Sunday night (longer on long weekends) to the cottage or camping. The lights are on timers, and I have not lost any fish. If you are worried so much, you can buy automatic fish feeders, they don't cost very much.
13. It really depends on the type of fish. I would need to know what kind of fish u have. Vergitarian fishes should be fed very oftern. Meat eaters should be fed about 2 or 3 times a week depending on the fish.
14. feed fish 2-3 times a day. if you plan to be away for a day, feed once and they will still be fine.
15. If you always feed your fish well, you can leave it for 2 weeks. The fish would be fine, it would just lose some weight :-).
16. THEY ARE DYING CAUSE YOUR NOT FEEDING THEM. MOST FISH CAN'T GO 2 DAYS WITHOUT FOOD! (exept for Bettas)
17. now there's a variance of opinions...mine...a heathy tank, one that is well established, the fish can survive a week or so. That is based on the several books i've read, they vary too. so..if your gonna be gone awhile,get a time release food tab, and probably a 30% water change when you get home. Good Luck