holiday

[caterpillar5]

Im going on a holiday for 11 days in a week's time... what is the best way to go about doing this... i have a brother that knows absolutely nothing about fish, but i can get him to go over to my house to maybe feed once or twice... im very scared to get him to feed everyday or 2 days, as there will be no water changes within those 11 days, i dont want any overfeeding as that will foul my water up quick. How long can cories go without food really? I will tell my brother to help me, but only to a minimum... what is your advice?

 

[black angel]

i would get him to feed every 3 days and put the correct amount for each feed wrapped in foil.

 

[The-Wolf]

The week before you are going, reduce the feeds to every two days.
the day you leave do a 50% water change and feed as you go out the door.

whilst you are away
do nothing

upon your return do a 50% water change
day after you return feed fish
then feed every two days for a week
after that treat as normal.

11 days without feeding will be fine.

 

[caterpillar5]

why is it that i should reduce the feedings before i go when i will do a water change the day before i go?
And also after i return y should i reduce feedings for a week?
im sure there is a logical explanation but i guess im not that smart

 

[sylvia]

It's isn't to do with water quality as much as it is to help the fish adjust to not being fed for so long I think. In the wild, there would be seasons or times of year when food is plentyful and times when it is scarce. However, the transition between the two would happen gradualy so the fish have a chance to adapt.
Personaly, I have never had to leave my fish for more than 5 days but I'll be going on a 10-day holiday soon and I don't trust anyone to take care of them so I'll probably do the same. Unfortunately, any pearl gourami fry will die

 

[The-Wolf]

In the wild, there would be seasons or times of year when food is plentyful and times when it is scarce. However, the transition between the two would happen gradualy so the fish have a chance to adapt.

thats it exactly Silvia

 

[KerriPaul]

One year I bought an automatic feeder and went away for two weeks. Got back and it hadn't worked and all the fish were fine despite no food for two weeks. I think they had a meal of baby swordtails at some point though!