SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/fish-short-trip-skip-feeding

You will be away for several days. What does a Texas A&M goldfish guide say you can do?

Ask a friend to feed them, or skip feeding until you return.

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  1. Pour in a week of food before leaving
  2. Leave the lid off so they catch bugs
  3. Ask a friend to feed, or skip feeding ✔

Why: The guide says for a trip of several days, ask a friend (and tell them exactly how much) or simply do not feed until you get back. Dumping in extra food fouls the water.

Huh, didn't know that: The same guide says goldfish can go about 7 to 10 days without food, though feeding every day is best.

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Why didn't the goldfish mind the family trip? It had the whole tank to itself.
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References

Answer: Ask a friend to feed, or skip feeding. The guide says for a trip of several days, ask a friend (and tell them exactly how much) or simply do not feed until you get back. Dumping in extra food fouls the water.

  1. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Gold Rush, A Kid's Guide to Goldfish Care extension.rwfm.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/10/Goldrush-%E2%80%93-A-Kid%E2%80%99s-guide-To-Goldfish-Care.pdf
    If you go away for several days, you can ask a friend to feed them
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Gold Rush, A Kid's Guide to Goldfish Care extension.rwfm.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/10/Goldrush-%E2%80%93-A-Kid%E2%80%99s-guide-To-Goldfish-Care.pdf
    or you can choose not to feed them until you return.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  3. Florida Sea Grant: Q&A, How to Keep Your Fish Tank Safe During a Power Outage www.flseagrant.org/qa-how-to-keep-your-fish-tank-safe-during-a-power-outage
    fish can go about a week without food if they are in good condition.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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That's stuff everyone should know.