How Many Days Without Food?

[ZoSoSwiM]

I want to figure out what the longest period of time Convicts can go without food. I need to go away for a week and and would like to avoid moving the tank if possible.. 5 gallons isn't very hard to move, I've got a system... but it's still something I want to avoid if possible.

I've left them for 3 days before but never 5 or 6.. There is some algae in my tank they eat sometimes and they're very healthy at the moment.

The 2 are used to being fed once a day.. so what do you all think?

 

[LisaLQ]

Can someone not pop in to feed them? Why not get one of those fish food timer thingies?

BTW, was that a typo when you said you had 5-6 convicts in a 5g tank?

Edited to add - no it was me reading it wrong *lol* Even so, two convicts need a much bigger tank

 

[ZoSoSwiM]

The convicts are young still and aren't very large yet. They will move into a new larger tank in the future.. no worries. No one will be around because of thanksgiving... and it's an eclipse tank so an auto feeder isn't possible.

 

[LisaLQ]

You can get those holiday block fish foods though, think they stick onto the side with a sucker, might be worth asking in your pet shop or LFS?

 

[vancouver]

I'd fatten them up before you leave.

Feed them 4-5 times a day for a few days before you leave..

Then do a water change the day before you leave and they should be fine.

Convicts can get quite aggressive when they are hungry.. but I guess if yours are small you might get away with no deaths.

When I don't feed my large convicts for 2 days, they try to kill and eat other fish.

Depending on the size of yours, you may have the same problem.. and it will be a lot easier considering they're on a 5g tank.

 

[ZoSoSwiM]

Well I think I'll just take the tank with me. It's easy enough and shouldn't stress them out much. Better than risking death..