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Feeding Fish on Vacation

Feeding Fish on Vacation

Updated on July 18, 2024
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Reviewed by Don Spaeth
Petco’s National Aquatic Care, Education and Programs Manager

Instructions for pet sitters  | Automated fish feeders  | Optimizing your aquarium before vacation  | Spotting health problems in fish 

aquarium with fish

Fish and aquatic life include some of the most unique pets that pet parents keep in their homes. They’re eye-catching and fascinating to watch swimming around the aquarium. They don’t require handling or time outside of their habitat. However, unlike cats or dogs who can tag along when you take a trip, aquatic pets are too complicated to take with you when you travel.

While fish are often fine left on their own in other regards, they still need regular feedings. You’ll need a plan to make sure your fish stay fed while you’re on vacation. Even older fish with more body fat may need to be checked on a few times while you are gone. You can keep your fish’s dietary needs fulfilled with help from a pet sitter or technology.

Instructions for pet sitters 

One of the most common ways pet parents make sure their fish are taken care of when they’re away is by asking a friend or family member to check in on their aquatic pets. While fish-sitting can appear simple, people who haven’t cared for fish before may need a little guidance.

Below are some tips you will want to share with your pet sitter about how to feed fish while you are on vacation. Of course, you can add to or adjust this list based on your individual pets, but it can serve as a good foundation for new aquatic caretakers. 

  • Feed fish at the same time every day: Fish can have an internal clock when it comes to food, and they will expect a feeding at the same time and place daily
  • Measure food amount carefully: The appropriate amount of food depends on the total amount of fish—and how old they are
  • Don’t provide more food than fish can consume in 1–2 minutes: Leftover food quickly decays and affects water quality, so remove leftover food after 2 minutes; if you notice fish regularly leave a lot of food behind after 2 minutes, try offering marginally less food
  • Make sure aquatic life gets the right nutrients: Provide species-appropriate nutrition
  • Keep flake, pellet and freeze-dried fish foods cool and dry: Some fish foods can spoil in the wrong conditions, and they may also lose nutrients faster in hot or wet conditions

While some fish can be left alone for a few days without food, you may come home to sick fish if you go away at length and your pets haven’t received proper care. If you choose not to go with a sitter, the other way to keep your fish fed when on vacation is to use an automated fish feeder.

Automated fish feeders 

Your fish might never notice your absence if you use auto and vacation fish feeders to keep the food flowing while you’re gone. These can be great options for feeding fish when you’re away if you don’t have a trusted pet sitter. Automatic fish feeders deploy a set amount of food on a timer so your fish can receive food at their regular mealtime, whereas drop-in vacation feeders release food inside a calcium or gel block that dissolves over time.

The primary downside to these types of feeders is that no one is there to clean up leftover food, so you may return to a dirtier aquarium than usual. On the plus side, an automated feeder is easy to use and won’t require you to find a friend or pet sitter.

Buy Automatic Fish Feeders

Optimizing your aquarium before vacation 

Whether you rely on an automated feeder or a person to feed your fish, you will want to set your aquarium up for success while you’re away. In addition to deciding how to keep your fish fed, you can also help optimize your habitat before you head out on your vacation.

Clean the aquarium: Leave your fish with a clean environment. Test the water to ensure the chemical balance is within an appropriate range and address any parameters that are outside of the normal range.

Check the temperature: For freshwater fish, a good temperature range is 72–82 degrees Fahrenheit; for most marine species, 74–80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Aquarium heaters and chillers regulate the aquarium at the appropriate temperature, but always validate the temperature before heading out on vacation. 

Clean the filter: You may also want to clean the tank filter and replace the filter media before leaving. Filters automatically catch debris and dirt, and they eventually get full. You want to make sure your filter has room to collect any extra fish food that accumulates while you’re not at home to remove it manually.

Spotting health problems in fish 

It can be a good idea to inspect your fish when you return home. Feeding fish while on vacation can be an imperfect science for automatic feeders and pet sitters alike. Look for fish rubbing up against objects, circling, going to the surface for oxygen, hiding or assuming a strange posture. These can all be signs of a sick fish. 

 

FAQs about feeding fish on vacation

How can I feed my fish while on vacation?

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Deploying fish food on vacation can be done in a few ways. Automatic feeders are sometimes the simplest way to make sure your aquatic pets remain well-fed while you’re on short trips. They deploy a set amount of food on a timed schedule, and many feeders can be loaded with enough food to last up to 14 days. Alternatively, drop-in vacation feeders, which release food inside a calcium or gel block that dissolves over time, are another option for feeding your aquatic life while on vacation.

Are drop-in vacation feeders bad for my fish?

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Just like any method pet parents use to feed fish while on vacation, drop-in vacation feeders can have their benefits and drawbacks. The food may not dissolve without enough circulation, which can leave the tank dirty. However, the simplicity and efficiency of vacation feeders tend to outweigh the concerns when used properly. They slowly dispense fish food when you’re on vacation, so you don’t have to worry about coming home to underfed aquatic pets. 

How long can my fish be left without food?

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Some fish may be fine for a few days with no food; however, do your research about how frequently your aquatic life’s species needs to be fed before planning to leave them without food. Additionally, stress and changes in environment are common causes of fish illness, and going several days without food could cause enough stress that they develop a disease. 

Can my fish survive 5 days without food?

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Some fish may survive for a long weekend with no fish food. To be on the cautious side, it’s recommended you ask your veterinarian or a Petco Pet Care Center aquatic specialist if your fish can withstand being unfed for multiple days in a row before attempting to do so. Keep in mind that young fish are usually less tolerant about not being fed than older fish. Check out our guide to Fish Nutrition to learn about the right feeding schedule for your pets. 

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