How long can fishes go without food?

[Weapon_Master]

I was just wondering how long can we leave fishes without food. Assumption will be based on my current environment with

2.5ft by 1.5ft by 1.5ft tank

15KG LR

1 * Cleaner Shrimp

2 * Fire Shrimps

2 * ###### Shrimps

1 * Boxer Shrimp

1 * 2 Spotted Goby

1 * Scooter blenny

1 * Purple Fire Goby

2 * True Perc Clown fish

Of course there is not definite right or wrong answers. I do not have auto feeder and water top up is generally done once in 2 days. Also my clowns have not been trained to eat pellet food.

Was just wondering what should be done if I need to go for a weekend get away.

Anyone can share their experience?

[woonming]

i tired 2 week for mine..

3week fishes died but shrimps is still alive..

[Weapon_Master]

Wow 2 weeks! That was long. So am I overly concerned here? I am thinking like 2-3 days and was already damn worried. Wait come back all die on me.

I do not have auto water top up because I do not have a sump and there salinity was surely spike up due to evaporation. This is a major consideration for me as well.

If left alone for 2 weeks surely all LS will say sayo nara to me.

[SeaAngel]

Also my clowns have not been trained to eat pellet food.

I think the key word is "train". My YT initially did not like pellets and it had a sunken body. Had to mix the pellets with brime and mash it up. Day and day put less brime and more pellets. Now it eats everything and anything.

When I am overseas I use an auto feeder and I now feed it once a day.

My two cents worth.

[flush]

2-3 days is ok. i feed my fish every 2-3 days and their doing fine.

[junyong84]

i think abt a week or so...

[blacknails]

I feed my fishes sometimes once in 3 days, sometimes once in 5 days and sometimes they even go without food for about a week...

And they are all still doing fine (shrimps, urchins, fishes and all). I've known of tanks which feed their fishes only once a week so I guess it's quite alright if you underfeed.

True problem occurs when you overfeed.. Like alot of new reef keepers..

My 2 cents worth

[Weapon_Master]

Thanks for all your comments and valuable input. Looks like I can now proceed on a weekend getaway at greater ease.

I am sure that my heart will be with them even when I am far away.

[jas_soh]

i guess it also depends on how mature is your system and if your livestocks can find any natural food in your tank

[Weapon_Master]

Quite true. My tank is still rather new (coming 3 months) so still experiencing new tank sydrome and algae bloom.

It wont be another 3 months before I need to leave it for 2 days. By then my tank should be more stable and self sufficient in another way.

Any other precautions or advice can anyone give me?

[FuEl]

Ah? I feed my fish everyday...

[neo]

Did try before for 1 week without feeding due to oversea trip. As for the salinity, top up water to 1.021 before I left. By the time I came back, it was around 1.026.

All LS reported during the first 'master parade' when I reach home.

[Weapon_Master]

FALL IN and ROLL CALL!

I believe some species may survive better than the others without food for an extended duration. Of course not recommended but sometimes you dont have a choice.