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	Fish care? out on vacation
bharatk Hobbyist Posts: 57 Kudos: 43 Votes: 3 Registered: 04-Oct-2004	Hi, What measures do I take when I am out on vacation next week? I have 4 Fantail golds(medium size) and 2 perl danios in a 30 G well planted tank.I am maintaining good filtration. I will be out for 6 days and I don't have anyone to feed my fish. will it be OK if I leave the fish hungry for 6 long days? I have read that they do well even if not fed for a week. some advice please... Bharat
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Gourami Mega Fish Posts: 1205 Kudos: 477 Votes: 1 Registered: 23-Apr-2002	It is better not to feed them, then to risk polluting your tank with those weekend feeders. Or having some one else feed your fish too much. Just give them a couple good size feedings the few days before you leave.(not huge!you dont want to over feed) And then do a decent water change the day before, or day of leaving. You should be good with that method.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
bharatk Hobbyist Posts: 57 Kudos: 43 Votes: 3 Registered: 04-Oct-2004	In addition, should I put a small aquatic plant which my goldfish would otherwise love to chew on? They eat the Amazon Swords anyway, when I dont feed them for a day!!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Week End Big Fish Posts: 414 Kudos: 436 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-May-2004	you can do that...but not necessary....6 days is not a problem for the fish just perform a normal 25% 30% water change before you leave is good already
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
FishBone Fingerling Posts: 16 Kudos: 16 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Oct-2004	Is it OK to leave the powerhead filter switched on for 6 days ? Won't it burn out or something ? Also won't the constant water movement stress the fishes ? I mean if the power filter is kept running for 6 days at a strech.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Azrael_Darkness Fish Addict Posts: 547 Kudos: 420 Votes: 8 Registered: 26-Oct-2004	i usually leave my filter running all the time.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Silverlight Enthusiast Posts: 212 Kudos: 396 Votes: 43 Registered: 04-Jul-2004	Uh, Fishbone, just so you know, you're not ever supposed to turn off your filter. Ever. Also, do you have a power filter or a powerhead with a filtration attachment? Two different things. A power filter (of the hang-on-the-back kind, usually) doesn't ever get turned off. Neither does a powerhead with a filtration attachment, but powerheads produce a lot more water current anyway.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
FishBone Fingerling Posts: 16 Kudos: 16 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Oct-2004	I have a power filter, the kind that is attached to one corner of the tank. I think the key to making sure your fish survive the 6 day vacation, is to make sure the tank is under-stocked and has a few plants. Once you do get back from your vacation make sure you feed your fishes small portions (live foods would be great). Someone once told me if you overfeed the fishes after a long spell of fasting they may not be able to handle it. Small portions of their favorite foods will help them get back into shape.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
me is already in use Fish Addict Posts: 596 Kudos: 99 Votes: 25 Registered: 02-Dec-2003	Fish can survive 6 days without food, so I think there is no problem with feeding
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Alex Fish Addict 510 Posts: 721 Registered: 03-Oct-2004	yeah they can survive for over a week with out food. ''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
bharatk Hobbyist Posts: 57 Kudos: 43 Votes: 3 Registered: 04-Oct-2004	So ... I shouldn't be worying about feeding. I generally never switch off the internal power filter. Just did a 30 % water change and I am ready to leave tomorrow.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	When we went to california for a week, we put those block feeders in the tank. (55g) when we got home, the tank wasnt cloudy and mucky, and i dont think any fish died. My suggestion would be to feed them alot of meety foods to fatten them up, the when you get home, immedatly feed them. One of my clown loaches went 10 days without eating (he was stuck under a rock, and we found him 10 days later) Last edited by victimizati0n at 02-Nov-2004 04:52
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
FishBone Fingerling Posts: 16 Kudos: 16 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Oct-2004	Will make sure my power filter is kept switched ON when I go for my next vacation BTW I heard someone once tell me that since fishes are cold blooded (...are they ? ) they can go without food for long periods. I am sure no one wants to test this, but just out of curiosity... is this true ? How long can fishes live without feeding ?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
ufgradufish Enthusiast Posts: 234 Kudos: 27 Votes: 0 Registered: 25-Jun-2002	It is true, it depends on the fish and its size how long they can live without eating.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
whetu Mega Fish Posts: 900 Votes: 63 Registered: 31-Jan-2003	Fish are 'cold blooded' but what this really means is that their temperature is dictated by the environment rather than by an internal mechanism. So while a human's core temperature remains a steady 37.5 C regardless of their environment, a fish's core temperature will be exactly the temp of the water surrounding it. How this impacts on feeding: If a fish is kept in cooler temperatures it will move more slowly, and require less energy input, so can survive on less food. *Please note I am not* advocating reducing temps for tropical fish in order to reduce feeding!**
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51


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