Goldfish must be fed regularly. Although they can go for weeks without eating, starvation can have negative consequences on their wellbeing.
There are fortunately economical and straightforward methods of making sure that your goldfish will receive regular meals while you are gone, the key to which is planning in advance. Here are some suggestions:.
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Preparation is Key
Watching goldfish swim in their aquarium can help relieve tension and take your mind off any worries, but leaving them too long could put them in peril if left alone without food or care. They could potentially starve or become sick without constant feedings from you.
Prevent this from happening by providing your fish with their normal diet prior to traveling; do this at least two weeks in advance so they have enough sustenance for when you return.
Make sure a friend or neighbor knows exactly how to feed your fish while you’re away, providing your mobile number and email address for emergencies such as power surges that shut off filters and lights or an automatic feeder that runs out of food.
Slow-Release Vacation Food Blocks
Many pet owners resort to feeding blocks designed specifically for goldfish vacations. These block dispensers slowly dissolve into the water, dispensing small pieces of low protein food which your fish can easily digest – this ensures they won’t go hungry during their time away! Designed to feed up to 14 days in your tank.
These blocks are easy to use and can be left in either an aquarium or pond, however it’s important to remember that many require adequate filtration and water movement in order for them to dissolve quickly without creating an ammonia spike in either environment. If these requirements aren’t met then the block may quickly degrade and release ammonia into its environment causing ammonia to surge dramatically into either tank’s or aquarium’s environment.
Your best bet in protecting the wellbeing of your aquatic friends while you’re away is having someone familiar with aquariums and fish visit periodically to inspect filters, water chemistry and general tank cleanliness – this way they will not put their pets in any immediate danger while you’re out.
Automatic Feeders
Electric or battery-operated feeders can dispense set amounts of fish food at regular intervals throughout the day. Simply fill up your dispenser before heading out on holiday – many experienced goldfish keepers find this an efficient and reliable method for holiday feeding!
Feeding blocks may also be available that slowly dissolve in water, dispensing modest amounts of nutrition over time. However, they require strong water circulation for proper dissolution and disbursement; otherwise they can easily overfeed your goldfish if the sitter does not understand their eating habits and nutritional requirements.
Aquarists who plan to leave town may opt for asking a friend or neighbor to feed their fish while they are gone, provided that they understand that a partial water change might be needed and/or signs of illness/stress should be observed in their tank. Provide your helper with detailed directions regarding care as well as contact numbers/emails should any issues arise that require immediate attention from you.
Ask a Friend
If you are going away for more than a weeklong vacation, ask a friend to take on goldfish feeding duties while you’re gone. Since fish cannot be left in a pet boarding facility while you’re gone, an arrangement must be made where someone checks on and feeds your aquarium regularly while you are gone.
Make sure that the person responsible for feeding your tank understands that you wish for it to be fed twice per day, or as close as possible, in order to avoid overfeeding, which could pollute the water and create health issues for the fish. Overfeeding can pollute it as well.
Ask them to keep track of how much food and when it’s being fed to the fish. This will provide peace of mind knowing your pet is well taken care of!
