How long can you leave a goldfish 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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Can I leave my goldfish for a week?

As long as you've been feeding your goldfish well, the aquarium water is pristine and you've got good filtration there is nothing to worry about. If you're leaving for up to two weeks, your goldfish should be fine, but there is some risk involved.
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How long can you leave fish unfed?

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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How quickly do goldfish starve?

Goldfish can go for as long as two weeks without food, experts suggest, but just because they can, it doesn't mean they should. We wouldn't ever endorse leaving yours for so long without feeding them, as it's incredibly unfair on your charges. After two weeks, they'll be malnourished, not to mention extremely hungry.
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How do I know if my goldfish is starving?

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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Survival of GoldFish without food



How often should I feed goldfish?

Feed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.
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Can goldfish go a day without food?

Yes, goldfish can go 2 days without food. In the wild, goldfish don't eat every day since they're not able to catch food that frequently.
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Can I feed my goldfish every other day?

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 fish go 2 weeks 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 can goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish cannot survive longer than a few minutes in untreated tap water. It will kill them almost instantly as it burns their lungs. If the pH level of your tap water is fine for a goldfish to survive (7.2-7.6), then it is safe.
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Is it OK to not feed fish for a day?

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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Can fish go 3 days without food?

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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Do fish need to be fed every day?

In general, most fish do quite well on one or two feedings per day. Most fish require 16 to 24 hours to fully digest the food they eat, so a once-a-day feeding is quite sufficient. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish very lightly twice a day.
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How do I feed my goldfish while on vacation?

With this in mind, here are three ways you can feed your goldfish while on holiday.
  1. Get a fish-sitter to feed your goldfish while you are on holiday. ...
  2. Invest in an automatic feeder that will dispense holiday food to your fish. ...
  3. Use feeding blocks.
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How long can goldfish live without changing water?

A goldfish may survive around 8 to 12 hours in a normal bag.
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Can goldfish starve?

Goldfish are a very popular fish species to keep as pets. They're animals and therefore they can starve to death just like all the other animals that exist in this world. It is, in the end, up to you to give your goldfish enough food, so that they won't starve. Goldfish love a variety of foods.
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Is it OK to leave your fish in the dark?

Fish do not need light at night. A period of darkness is necessary for the fish to sleep. Also, leaving the lights on all night could cause algae to rapidly grow and take over your aquarium. That for sure is an unwanted and ugly looking result.
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How long does a goldfish live?

Goldfish have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions.
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What do goldfish do all day?

First of all, it's normal to see your goldfish swim, play and explore during the day and sleep at night. Do fish sleep? Yes, but because they have no eyelids, they can't close their eyes like we do. The goldfish behavior can be influenced by the environment, tank mates and also by its owner.
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What human food can goldfish eat?

You can feed various vegetables like peas, spinach, kale, etc as well as fruits like grapes, orange, watermelon, apple, banana, etc to your Goldfish. Besides, some people also feed oatmeal and cooked rice to their Goldfish.
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Does a goldfish sleep?

Unlike people, goldfish do not lie down when they sleep. Rather, they become less active, staying in one place and moving slowly to keep themselves stable. They look like they are hovering in the tank or pond, usually low in the water, an inch or so off the bottom, with their heads pointed slightly downward.
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How long do goldfish sleep per day?

While goldfish can't close their eyes, they do sleep at night and take naps during the day. It's normal for them to sleep around 8 to 12 hours out of 24 in short bursts, and most fish learn to sleep when you're not interacting with them.
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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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