how long can fish go without food?

[Jonnyacrofeed]

I might be out of town for about a week, and I was wondering if that would be to long for my percula clown , fridmani pseudochromis and cleaner shrimp to go without being fed? could this be life threatening to them? thanks.

 

[scaryperson27]

What are your tank specs? Probably yes. I would get an autofeeder if you can't get someone to come over and maintain your tank for you. I would also worry about your salinity.

 

[funman1]

Just went to a meeting where Bruce from Captive Reef Systems talked, and he said to feed 4-5 times a day in small amounts. Most our fish do not have very big stomachs or digestive systems, so they need constant food. He said if your fish act like they are starving when you feed them each day then they prolly are starving.

Since then I have started feeding 3-4 a day and just do smaller amounts (so as not to over feed). This has made a major difference in my fish. They are not only much less aggressive towards each other, but also seem to be in better health and happier.

 

[Charlie97L]

did he have any suggestions for those of us who are out of the house a good portion of the day and can't feed at 4 intervals throughout the day?

 

[vanmo92]

THe most I wo9uld go is a few days....like maby 3. Invest in an auto feeder. Even one that just drops some food in the water once a day. If you have more to invest you can get a really nice one that you can program how much to feed (more accuratly than cheaper ones) and one that you can program how often to feed.

 

[mack519]

Okay i had 2 fish and they went 3 weeks on 1 feeding, they swim around picking things off the rock, i completly forgot to tell someone to feed the fish on vacation.

 

[thor32766]

yeah can you get someon to feed them even just a couple of times, but i would also invest in a auto feeder.

 

[kjenkins]

in a pinch most carnivores or omnivores can go at least a week without food. Most herbivores will find food in the tank but some, like convict tangs will start to starve after a few weeks. I've left my 12 gallon with two clowns go 1 week without food with absolutely no issues. Don't worry!

 

[roons]

i feed once every 3 days, i think feeding 3-4 times a day is crazy...........jmo

 

[scaryperson27]

If you have copepods, isopods, antrapods ect. then you shouldn't have to feed them. I used to never feed my damsel tank when I had it cause of them. how much live rock do you have? I have a corner full of just random rubble that pods just thrive in. If it weren't for my tang, I dont think i would have to feed my fish at all. As a matter of fact, I didn't until i got my tang.