long trip to disney...worried about our fish

[mommylovesdisney]

Okay, this is so corny, but we have a betta fish who is about 3 years old. I never thought he'd live this long but I take really good care of him. DD got him (he replaced our first betta that lived only 6 weeks) when she was 6.
Background: he lives in a 2.5 gallon tank with rocks and marbles, I do a complete water change every week. he is situated on the half wall between our kitchen and family room so he has lots of interaction with us...he's got the life!

anyway, we've gone away before and left him with a betta block that feeds him up to 10 days. he's always been fine. I change his water right before we leave and first thing when we get back. But the last time we went somewhere (earlier this summer) he didn't do so well, a bit of fin rot and he just seemed like he missed us. I would HATE to come home to a floater because we left him alone, but I don't really have anyone to fish sit. Plus, i would feel bad if he did die while in someone else's care(don't want them to feel bad about it) he is old for a betta, after all!

I don't know what kind of advice I am looking for but there must be someone else out there who's been in this situation before...

 

[SandrA9810]

I would consider moving him into a 10 gallon tank. I've had my betta fish thrive in the big tank, and the fins get so much bigger. They usually got to hang out with a sucky pleco.

With him in the bigger tank, it'll take a lot more than 10 days for the water to get bad enough to harm him. And it's hard cause if those betta feeders dissolve too fast, it can mess up the water. If a ten gal is too big, what about a half round 5 gal tank??

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would try for a few things. I also have a fish tank and I have a few fish that are like family to me!

1. Bigger tank temporarily. Does your current tank have a bubbler and/or filter? A cheap one from Craigslist (or ask around if friends have one in storage) will do the trick while you are gone.

2. Consult the fish store you most frequent (I'm hoping it is a mom and pop). Our mom & pop store has offered to "take" my two favorites and keep them in a NOT FOR SALE tank while we are gone.

3. Do you have a neighbor who can check-in about half-way through your trip to just drop in another feeder?

4. Can you put a radio or a TV in front of it or a mirror for interaction so it doesn't get bored?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I think you are awesome because you CARE! I have no advice. Just wanted to say I had a betta once. I won't get another because he died a very slow death and it really bothered me. I didn't think I would care so much about a fish, but bottom line is...if I have something ALIVE in my house, and it depends on me for food and it's existance...then I gotta care for it properly!

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[georgina]

Do you have a friend who would take the fish into his/her house? That's what we do with our guinea pigs. That way they get human interaction, much better than having someone stop in once a day to feed/water them.

oops, I re-read that you don't have anyone to fish-sit. There is a woman around here that will care for small pets in her home for vacations. I haven't used her because we had friends to take our pets. Maybe look for a pet-sit service?

 

[dizluvah]

one suggestion - a coworker recently brought his fish from home into the office and asked a colleague to keep an eye on him -he left the fish bowl on his desk for the week with one of the feeders, then he just brought the fish home after he returned. It's a fairly low maintenance request when the person doesn't have to go anywhere out of their way to check on the fish....

 

[pumba]

I got a betta sitter when we went to Disney.....Indy was doing to good to let him go.
I have had some that have lasted three going into the fourth year and Indy is going to be two this month and he does act up if we are not here.....This one jumps when we come in but not for just anybody.
Hope your betta does good while you are gone.

 

[SandrA9810]

I would worry about moving the fish to some one else's home. Different lighting, different temps, different everything could very well affect the fish's health. Especially at that age. I think a bigger tank and paying a neighborhood kid to come feed it every few days, might be your best option.

 

[mommylovesdisney]

Thanks for your advice! I am going to put him in a bigger tank (his name is officially Stanley, but we call him Fishy!) My husband's office way too cold! but I liked that idea.
My mom has an old aquarium tank (at least 5 gal.) from when my brother was a kid, I think I will borrow it (test it first to make sure it doesn't leak or anything) and let him get used to it for a day or two before we leave.
I am going to put a photo of us near him too. I think he will be alright. We'll be gone about 10 days (long for us!).
Thanks again!

 

[SandrA9810]

Make sure you clean it well with fish safe cleaners. You don't want any nasties in his water that could hurt him.

Betas can live with other fish, as long as they don't have long fins. So get a bottom feeder that won't be phased by the betta, but not a clown loach, they can get big and aggressive.

Set the tank up, using half the betta's water (he'll be fine in shallow water for a day). Let it cycle for 24hrs, then add the bottom feeder. Let it cycle for another 24hrs adding the betta and all of his water. If you already have a filter for the betta, use that with the new tank. Or at least make sure you have a bubbler, something to help keep the water and air moving.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Dang! Is there anything that DISers don't know about? You guys are amazing!