Going away and worried about how to feed your fish while you’re gone? Don’t worry, there are easy solutions to keep your fish happy and healthy while you’re away!
Should I get someone to feed my fish?
Getting a friend, family member, or pet sitter to come by and feed your fish daily is often the best option. They can follow the normal feeding amounts and schedule and check that your fish and tank look healthy. If you have sensitive or difficult fish, having someone come by to feed them is highly recommended.
What are automatic fish feeders?
Automatic fish feeders are devices that you can program to release a certain amount of fish food into your tank at set times. They run off of batteries or a power outlet timer. There are many types – some hold dry food while others hold frozen cubes or flakes. They allow you to set customized feeding schedules to maintain normalcy.
How do automatic fish feeders work?
Automatic fish feeders work in a few different ways depending on the style:
- Dry food dispensers have a storage container that holds dry flakes or pellets. You fill this before leaving. At set times, a wheel or chute will turn to dispense some food.
- Frozen food dispensers have freezer packs and storage for frozen cubes. At feeding time, a mechanism will knock off cubes into the tank.
- Belt feeders slowly move flake food over time from a storage container into the tank.
Battery or electric timers control when and how much food is released. Feeders allow flexibility for many small meals or less frequent larger meals.
What are the advantages of automatic fish feeders?
There are several advantages that make automatic fish feeders a popular choice:
- Maintains regular feeding schedules – Fish thrive on regular meals and won’t miss daily feedings.
- Portions meals – No worries about overfeeding or underfeeding with pre-set amounts.
- Hands-free – Convenient, no need to rely on someone to come daily.
- Customizable – Many allow you to set various feed amounts and schedules as needed.
- Reliable – Quality feeders are reliable when set up properly.
What are the disadvantages of automatic fish feeders?
While very useful, there are some potential disadvantages to consider as well:
- May jam or malfunction – Inexpensive feeders are more prone to this.
- Require battery/power source – Batteries must be fresh and electric timers kept on.
- Can overfeed – If not adjusted right, some release too much food.
- Food can get soggy – Moisture can make dry food mushy.
- No supervision – No one observing fish health or tank conditions.
Tips for using an automatic fish feeder successfully
Here are some tips to ensure your automatic feeder keeps your fish happy and healthy:
- Choose a high-quality feeder – Pay for durability and reliability.
- Set the proper feed amounts – Follow package directions and adjust as needed.
- Use moisture resistant food – Pick feeds that won’t get soggy when wet.
- Check on it daily at first – Ensure it’s dispensing properly before leaving.
- Keep batteries/power source fresh – Replace batteries and keep timers powered on.
- Test alarms/notifications – Some feeders alert you if issues arise.
- Check on tank before leaving – Confirm all systems are running properly.
How much should I feed my fish with an automatic feeder?
As a general guide, here are recommended automatic feeder amounts based on fish size:
| Fish Size | Amount per Feeding | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Small fish (under 2″) | 1-2 pinches of flakes or pellets | 2-3 times daily |
| Medium fish (2″-5″) | 1/8 teaspoon flakes or pellets | 1-2 times daily |
| Large fish (over 5″) | 1/4 teaspoon flakes or pellets | Once daily |
Tailor amounts to your fish sizes and types. Observe fish eating amounts at first to ensure proper feeding. It’s better to feed smaller, more frequent meals.
How many days can a fish go without food?
Here is how long most fish can go without eating:
- 2-3 days: Bettas, guppies, tetras, gouramis, catfish
- 5-7 days: Goldfish, oscars, angelfish, discus
- 10-14 days: Common plecos, cichlids
Young fish and fry may only go 1-2 days without food before starvation risk rises. Know your fish species when leaving them with an automatic feeder.
What if my fish feeder fails?
Despite best efforts, automatic feeders can sometimes fail by jamming or running out of batteries. Here are backup options if your fish feeder fails before you return:
- Have a friend or neighbor come by to feed the fish.
- Hire a pet sitter to feed fish and check systems.
- Use vacation fish feeder blocks that slowly dissolve in water.
- Try an alternative feeder as a backup – gel blocks, holiday feeders.
For short trips under a week, healthy adult fish can go without. But have a plan for someone to come help for longer trips if needed.
Conclusion
Automatic fish feeders are a reliable tool to care for your fish while traveling or away from home. Follow best practices in choosing, setting up, and testing a feeder before your trip. Monitor your fish and feeder initially to ensure proper operation. Have a backup plan in case of any malfunctions. With some preparation and the right feeder, you can relax knowing your fish are happily eating on schedule!