Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

I know this question may have been asked before a few times but I want to clarify and get some quality advice... First, we have 4 aquariums. They are as follows:

a 42 gallon community tank with several kinds of fish and 3 kinnds of shrimp (Yamato, Cherry Reds, and Bumble Bees)

a 15 gallon community tank with a few kinds of fish and 2 kinds of shrimp (Yamato and Cherry Reds)

a 6 gallon with some baby guppies and Cherry Red Shrimp

a 2 gallon with baby guppies and some Cherry Red and Yamato Shrimp

All 4 tanks are well established. How much should I feed the shrimp special food for them? Usually, I only drop one of two shrimp pellets in the tanks once about 3 times a week. We'll be going ona 2-week vacation later this month in which we'll have someone looking afte the feeding for us. Should I not bother feeding the shrimp duuring this time?

We also have a lot of catfish -- a bunch of Cories and one Pleco in each of the tanks (except for the 2g). How about feeding them? How much and how often is recommended?

In my opinion I wouldn't feed the fish or shrimp for the two weeks. I would rather have hungry animals waiting for me when I get home rather than trust the feeding of my prized animals to someone who doesn't know how to feed fish or shrimp.

I've read to many horror stories about people who's fish have been "killed by kindness" by the inexperienced people who feed them while their owner is away.

I understand IndianaSam's concerns, I share them too. However, there is a way around this that will not leave your pets hungry and stressed over the change of routine.

Take a few minutes to individually put portions of food in an envelope for each feeding. You can even write on the envelope, "Monday, Wednesday...." This is almost a sure way to have person unfamiliar with your pets take care of the feeding. This also works with other types of animal also

For the past two years, we have taken vacations for up to 3 weeks. For the week before we leave, I increase the amount I feed. On the day before the trip, I do a massive water change (75% or so) and then leave the tanks on autopilot.

Each time we have returned, we come home to find our fish are healthy and happy and the water appears sparkling clean. Not a single death has occured from the lack of food. "Cold blooded" animals do not have the same kind of daily food requirements that we have. They do just fine for periods of little to no food.

If you must have someone feed them, have someone come over to your house once during the two weeks. Place measured amounts of food in baggies and tape them to each tank so there is no chance that the caretaker can make a tragic mistake.

Also, remember to do your filter maintenance before leaving to ensure that the tanks can go on autopilot without problem.