BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Need To Know....

Im forgetful, so Im asking now... Im going away for 2 weeks in the summer, and I DEFINATELY cant take my boys, and have no one to watch them for me... what to do????

Two weeks is really too long for them to be on their own, and I wouldn't reccommend taking them with you anyway, since bettas don't travel well. You should find someone reliable who knows fish if you can, so that they can do at least one, preferably more, water change and also give them the food and attention that they need. Try friends or family or coworkers, or even pet places (stores, breeders, petsitters...?) to see if someone friendly there might keep an eye on them, though it may cost you some money.

Hope you can find someone <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Elise

Hello Mega,

What size tank is he in? If it's a smaller one perhaps you can take him right over to a friends and be sure to go through the care process...better yet, if you know who of your friends would be willing..you can start showing them how to care for him now. Do the feedings and cleanings while they are there and you can have them help you. That way by the time of your vacation they'll be an expert betta sitter...and maybe..even have a few of thier own by then... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If it's a larger tank and not very portable...you can still do the same thing and have them come to your house to care for them. If it's a larger tank, like a fully cycled 10 gallon, then they can just come by a couple of times a week to check up on him. He would be fine going a few days without feedings as long as they don't feed him too much thinking to make up for what he's missing. Also, with a larger cycled tank, they won't have to do a cleaning as long as you do one before you leave.

You have lots of time..of course, unless you are in Australia and it's summer already...lol...I'm in the states so I'm thinking summer is months away yet !! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Lol, It wouldn't work for my friends to come here thats for sure... I'm kinda hiding them from my dad.... hehe. I'm thinking that my friend Jami can take them, but shes got a cat...
And I just dont like that idea. They are only in 1/2 gallon tanks... I clean them once a week, and they're fine with that, so it means 1-2 water changes for them to do... ugh, cant think straight. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Maybe I wont go on my vacation... It's an awful long drive anyways lol. Then I guess I would be a Betta Slave <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Mega,

I hope your friend can take the babies. I have a cat and she gets along fine with the fish. She thinks they are kitty tv. It does help to have lids on the tanks, but otherwise, they would probably be fine with her.

Nan

Mega,

I hope your friend can take the babies. I have a cat and she gets along fine with the fish. She thinks they are kitty tv. It does help to have lids on the tanks, but otherwise, they would probably be fine with her.

Nan

I have two cats, and they don't bother the betta at all. One of my cats is even afraid of it! So do not let a cat sway your decision, unless it's a vicious cat with a history of fish eating <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Whoa Nan...I didn't even see you sneak that post in there before mine! Crazy boards...

Mega, here are three cats and at least two bettas that can get along <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> !

I don't blame Mega for being concerned about the cats. I have known folks who's cats ate thier fish...not fun...but if there was something you could put them in to keep the cats away from them...like an empty 10 gallon with a lid or something like that...wouldn't hurt.

now its three babies! I got that pretty one that I mentioned earlier. It has bright blue fins, a red head and a pink and purple iridescent body. BEAUTIFUL!!!! When I et some pics that turn out, I'll post them for sure. Dont want that one eaten by a cat lol. I wanted that same friend to take my hamster, but again, the cat influences my decision. My tanks DO have lids, so no worries there, it's just when she would do the water change, she'd likely put it in a bowl with a piece of paper over it (to discourage jumping) and that would make an easy kitty lunch. Ill work something out, Im sure