What do you do w/fish while on vacation?

[StephMK]

We board our 2 dogs but I'm unsure what to do w/our Betta & 2 snails while we're out of town. Do you have someone come by to feed them? We don't have any kids' friends in walking distance & I'm hesitant to ask someone to drive over to feed them.

We tried the time release food several years ago when we adopted a friend's goldfish who moved away but they both died while we were gone. DD will be CRUSHED if her fish & snails don't survive. I've also thought of getting a little portable tank (ours is not big, 5 gal) and taking it to one of her friends to keep for the week.

Just curious if any budget minded vacationers had any other ideas that worked for them.

 

[lovesmurfs]

We board our 2 dogs but I'm unsure what to do w/our Betta & 2 snails while we're out of town. Do you have someone come by to feed them? We don't have any kids' friends in walking distance & I'm hesitant to ask someone to drive over to feed them.

We tried the time release food several years ago when we adopted a friend's goldfish who moved away but they both died while we were gone. DD will be CRUSHED if her fish & snails don't survive. I've also thought of getting a little portable tank (ours is not big, 5 gal) and taking it to one of her friends to keep for the week.

Just curious if any budget minded vacationers had any other ideas that worked for them.

When it was important (i.e. someone would be very upset if it goes on a permanent vacation), I've always had one of my kids' friends watch the creature (hamster, gerbil, etc.) while we were gone and paid them like $10/week.

We've never had a problem with the timed release for fish, though.

 

[clanmcculloch]

When we had a beta I used some press and seal on the little bowl so I could transport it to work and I had a friend at work feed it. It wasn't in a tank, just one of those tiny bowls you see for beta fish. It's important to use the real press and seal though because the cheaper stuff DH has bought since just doesn't seal when you press. Putting them in a portable tank and brining them to a friend would work well. I'd make sure to bring back a little gift for the child who's keeping them for the week.

 

[CarolAnnB]

We usually take a small tank to a friend's house for the week and bring them back a souvenir as a thank you.

 

[floridascgirl]

Our Betta is 3 years old and I always take him to our elderly neighbor's house. It's kind of a pain, but we live down a private drive so there isn't anyone who can walk over each day. I always get stressed when she keeps him because she swears that she used to feed her Betta oatmeal. I just have to remind her 100 times that mine doesn't like oatmeal and to just feed him his little pellets.

 

[badblackpug]

I don't know what size tank you have, but you can buy automatic feeders at most pet stores.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I think the best options are the weekly feeders or taking them to someone's house. Many years ago when I had fish, I wanted to see how the weekly feeder discs would work so I put one in during the week before we left. I was able to see that they had plenty to eat and they were fine so I didn't worry about leaving them with it when we left. You could do a test of the feeder before you leave to make sure it works for your fish.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

My husband has a 300 gallon saltwater tank and he has used the automatic feeders with no problems. For our trip this year not sure what he is going to do about his lionfish and eel. They only have tastebuds for silver sides that need to stay frozen then unthawed before feeding. Really don't have anyone to come and feed them. Guess he is going to have feed them really well before we leave.

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for the auto feeder idea, I didn't know about those! Also great tip to practice before we go. I will try that & then make plans based on how well that goes. We have a 5 gal tank w/filter for 1 betta & 2 snails.

Our first snail just died and DD was completely crushed - seriously, yes, I realize it was just a snail. But hoping to avoid a full blown trauma if we come home to a dead tank. Luckily, DH will get back first so he can ease the blow if need be.

 

[Melynny]

I would seriously try the auto feeder, I used one for years. Infact, I used one even if I was home. It works so easliy and you don't have to worry about water spashing or the trauma of moving a fish or the temperature of moving. Also, when you have someone who is not familiar with fish, the overfeeding issue. That is usually what happens with the floating disks, they disentigrate too quickly and for a small tank ( like 5 gal) it ends up fouling the water... An automatic feeder is the way to go.. but DO A TEST for a week before you go.. and make sure you know exctly how it will work and how much food will come out before you put it over the tank... test it over a paper plate or shoe box and reuse that food. good luck!

 

[aaarcher86]

Those timed feeders work well.

If they don't work I don't think you have anything to worry about. Betas don't die. I couldn't have killed mine if I tried!

 

[swilshire]

We always used the 7-day feeders until the time we came back and found the fish dead and the tablet not desolved. Apparently they sometimes fail.

Sheila

 

[r&kmommy]

Fish can go for 10-14 days without food. The days leading up to your trip feed them twice a day (small amount that they will eat w/in a few minutes) and then the day before your trip do a water change. Feed them once before you head out the door (small amount they will eat in a few minutes) and be on your way. They will be fine.

 

[momejay]

My DD had a beta fish. I totally forgot about having the dog sitter feed the darn thing. It was hungry but very much alive 5 days later. We did have the dog sitter take care of it on our next trip. She left the top off the tank & it jumped out to it's death. My DD never knew as the sitter got a new fish before we got home. The color was slightly different & I told her it changed color because it missed her.

 

[stacy2197]

We always do 3 things. Feed it extra when we leave. Put in two of the vacation fish feeders(one each of differnt brands) and use an automatic feeder. This is for 5 realy big gold fish. The automatic feeder only gives them about 1/4 of what we feed them but at least they get a little somthing each day. We usualy leave for 15 days. We also put fresh batteries in the automatic feeder.