How long can fish go without eating?

As for food, freshwater fish are quite capable of going for several days without a meal. Healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. However, young fish don't have the fat stores of adult fish and they cannot go without eating very long.
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Can fish survive without food for 3 days?

Most healthy aquarium fish can go three days to a week without eating. However, it usually isn't recommended to go more a day or two without feeding unless completely necessary.
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Can fish survive 10 days without food?

A healthy, grown-up aquarium fish can go from 3 days to 1 whole week, without eating any food. Some fish species can even live for more than 2 weeks without eating. Whether in nature or in an aquarium – an adult fish has sufficient body mass and fat reserves to skip a couple of meals once in a while.
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How long until a fish starves to death?

A fish can probably go anywhere from a couple of weeks to as much as 6 weeks before it would starve to death, depending on the size of the fish and its original condition.
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Can fish go one day without food?

Almost all tropical fish commonly kept in the home aquarium can easily go at least a few days without being fed. Beyond that, it becomes necessary, or at least prudent, to make arrangements for feeding them while you're away — depending on the species involved.
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How Long Can Fish Go Without Food? NO FOOD | Educational



What happens if I forget to feed my fish?

Fish can go a week or two without a meal without a problem in most cases. Fish in well established tanks can last even longer, since they are eating planaria and other bugs, live plants in planted tanks and almost any fish will try some algae out if its the only thing around.
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How do I know my fish are hungry?

How To Tell If Your Fish Is Hungry
  1. Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
  2. Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
  3. Behavior changes (aggression).
  4. Noticeable weight/size changes.
  5. Slow or sluggish behavior.
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Is it OK not to feed fish for a week?

Healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. However, young fish don't have the fat stores of adult fish and they cannot go without eating very long. That doesn't mean you should routinely skip feedings, but your fish can safely be left without food over a long holiday weekend.
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Can you feed your fish once a week?

For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
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Can you leave fish for a week?

Most cold water fish will be fine for one week without food, however tropical fish usually need to be fed more often. There are a few options for keeping your fish fed while you're on holiday.
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Do fish get thirsty?

The answer is still no; as they live in water they probably don't take it in as a conscious response to seek out and drink water. Thirst is usually defined as a need or desire to drink water. It is unlikely that fish are responding to such a driving force.
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Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
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How long can a fish be in a bag?

It depends on a host of factors, but in general, fish can easily survive in a bag for about 7 to 9 hours comfortably, and possibly up to two days.
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How long can you leave pet fish alone?

Depending on the type of fish, how many fish you own and the size of the tank, you can leave your pet fish alone for two to seven days.
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Can goldfish survive 2 weeks without food?

Goldfish can go without food for around two weeks. Their metabolism can withstand a long time without nutrients, but it's not a smart thing to practice. Even though goldfish don't eat every day in the wild, if they got used to feeding two or three times a day, staying without food for long can harm them.
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What do fish do all day in a tank?

Fish that are active during the daytime usually begin by feeding. That might involve scavenging around the tank bottom for scraps of food, eating whatever flakes or pellets you scatter on the water surface, or grazing on the colonies of algae that grow on tank surfaces.
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What human food can fish eat?

Green foods are well worth trying, as are some fruits. Blanched lettuce and cooked peas and spinach are enjoyed by most herbivorous fish, while suckermouth catfish like plecs will also happily graze on raw courgette, cucumber and sweet potatoes, even slices of melon!
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How do fishes sleep?

Where Do Fish Sleep? Some fish sleep while swimming, some float motionless, and others hide out of sight from predators. For example: Rainbow Wrasse: As dusk falls, these fish burrow into the sand and stay there motionless until dawn.
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Can you overfeed a fish?

However, overfeeding fish can be a serious problem that can cause fish becoming lethargic and sick, and even lead to death. Overfeeding your fish can not only affect the health of your fish but can also have a negative impact on the overall health of your aquarium.
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Can I feed my fish every 3 days?

In general, most fish do quite well on one feeding per day. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish twice a day. Young, growing fish might need to eat three or more times per day. Regardless of the number of feedings, the key is to keep each feeding very small.
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What do you do with fish when you go on holiday?

Caring for Your Fish Tank on Holiday
  1. Set an automatic timer for your lights. ...
  2. Water change and checks. ...
  3. Teach your fish-sitter. ...
  4. Do not feed. ...
  5. Automatic feeder. ...
  6. Holiday food block. ...
  7. Fish-sitter.
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Do fish recognize their owner?

Surprisingly, science has found that fish are capable of recognizing their owner's face, even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.
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Do fish get bored?

Just like any other pet, fish can become bored, too. And while they won't chew up your shoes, keeping them occupied will ensure they live a healthier life.
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Do fish ever fart?

Most fish do use air to inflate and deflate their bladder to maintain buoyancy which is expelled either through their mouth or gills which can be mistaken for a fart. For example, sand tiger sharks gulp air into their stomachs at the surface which they then discharge out the back door to attain a desired depth.
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