Do you ever skip a day?

[Melody]

I formerly did this once a week or so, but in recent years I've gotten away from it. Since I have the perpetually breeding Livebearers, its more crucial to keep them well nourished. Its also important so they aren't as inclined to munch fry. I still do it very occasionally, just to let their systems rest & clean out. I don't know how much there is to that theory really, but it sounds good on paper ;) . On the 'no feeding' days, I also destress them entirely - lights out, etc.

I do have a starvation period before shipping to reduce bag waste, and feed a special diet for a few days before then... depending on when I catch them.

Do you ever go more than 24 hours between feedings? Any particular reason?

[CACAdmin]

I haven't but I would before shipping (definitely). Although I plan to do it to see how they fair if I go away for a few days, it seems I always have another batch of fry to worry about.

I would be interested in knowing how long people have gone without feeding (for whatever reason) and how they felt the fish handled it.

[CACAdmin]

I have another question with regards to skipping a day of feeding. Melody, you mentioned feeding a special diet before shipping. Does anyone else feed anything special in preparation for the absence of food, or feed a larger amount, or just retain the status quo?

[Melody]

I have a friend who takes off to Europe for a long time.... can't remember how long but its somewhere around a month - nobody looks after his fish while he's gone. They do fine. They pick away at organisms I'm sure, which a good plant population would help with.

[blainep]

My fish will miss a day of feeding if I'm going to be away for a day or two.

If I'm going to be away for more than a day or two, I get my son to stop by and give them something to eat.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I'll occaisonally skip a day if I forget to feed at the regular time. It's like when you skip a dose of medicine by mistake, you just wait until the next scheduled time. It's because I feed at night and I don't want them eating right before bed time. It makes people fat so I figure fish might have that problem too...

[Melody]

You can never have children Mr. GP. After seeing how you labour & fuss over your aquatic creatures, I have concluded that you will surely drive yourself insane if you have kids. :laugh:

Times I'm not sticky on, but many do recommend a regular schedule so I suppose I shouldn't tease you too much.;)