Feeding and Nutrition :: How long without food?

[flavacrisp]

My husband and I will be away for a week (Sat - Sat). We tried to get someone to come over and feed our RES Duane while we are gone, but no one can. If I leave a ton of lettuce and pellets in the tank before we leave, do you think Duane will be ok? I know she will eat all the stuff at once, but will it sustain her for the rest of the week? Duane is over a year, at least 4 inches in length.

[jenaero]

Rather than over feeding with pellets, try just feeding her a bit more than usual the day you leave, and the same when you get back. Leave some lettuce in there, and get some guppies or minnows. She won't eat all those at once so she'll have a bit every day if she chooses to chase them down.

The only concern I would have is about the filter/lamps functioning while you're away. If the lamps are on timers, you're fine there.

[megcornell]

Perhaps a daily visit was too much for people and you could ask someone just to come once or twice to make sure the lights and everything is still functioning? A few spread out meals would be better than none.

If that won't work, I'd leave some feeder fish, some anacharis, and feed extra pellets (not a ton though, you don't want Duane feeling ill). The anacharis is better than lettuce because if it's not all eaten in a day it won't wilt in the water.