Feeding Otocinclus & Shrimp While Away

[TheJack]

Hi all,
 
I'm going away for 7 nights and my Dad will be dropping in some flake (pre bagged) for my fish. but i'm worried about the shrimp and otocinclus. Generally the oto's eat cucumber, they seem to like a new peice about every 36 hours. Trouble being is I don't really want him messing about putting in new and taking out the old. Are there other options as the oto's don't like going hungry for long.
 
I have 6 neon tetras, 3 guppies, 3 otocinclus, 4 white cloud mountain minnows, 2 amano shrimp, 4 cherry shrimp and one little shrimp that came free with the cherries.
 
cheers for any help

 

[TallTree01]

I would think they'd be fine for a week without food. I just returned from a 2 week vacation and my fish were left with no food: 100% survival rate! Even my pleco . By prebagged do you mean you've allocated how much food per day? If so, good . Some people give into fishes' whining for more food and over feed.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I use prescription medicine holders for prescribing fish food.
 
 
Have you considered algae wafers?  If your dad is banging in the fish food, just add an algae wafer (or two, depending on your numbers).  Also, keep the lights on a timer, and the traces of algae in the tank will continue to grow and be a supplemental food source.

 

[TheJack]

Ok thanks. I have a timer and the medicine holder is a great idea. I already have some algae wafers, but the oto's don't seem keen and the guppies bully their way to them. I've tried dropping them in at lights out, but the wafers are 50% still there in the morning.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, training the otos might help... stuff an algae wafer into the cucumbers!  \
 
As pointed out, they will more than likely be just fine without food for the week.  If they eat any of the wafer, that should be good enough to keep them alive.  Plus, they have algae in the tank.  So, you've got that going for you as well.

 

[Sophie]

They'll eat the wafer if they're hungry enough!

 

[TheJack]

These are the algae wafers: http/www.kingbritish.co.uk/products/aquarium/food/algae-wafers they say on the packaging to remove any uneated food? Will it be ok just to leave them in?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I think they say that for folks who overfeed.  I don't think you need to worry.