Bettas are great pets for people who like to travel. Unless you’re going to be gone for over a week, you don’t need to give your betta a second thought before you leave (of course, you’ll clean their tank, right?). A betta will be fine if its not fed for a few days. Even up to 10 days is not a problem.
Bettas with live plants in their bowls will have it even easier than plantless bettas, as a betta will happily pick at the algae on the plant in their bowl for a little snack now and then.
When you get back, up to a week or so later, don’t overfeed your fish or you may make them very sick. Do a light feeding the first 1-3 days, then return them to their usual feeding schedule.
Think of the whole vacation as a fast for your fish.
Weekends & Long Weekends
Don’t worry about your betta. Check the heater before you leave to make sure your betta is warm. Also clean its tank. Don’t leave any of those “vacation feeder” blocks – they’ll make the tank an unholy mess, and probably overfeed & under-nourish your fish.
Short vacations – less than a week
Don’t feed at all. If you’re going away for less than ten days, your betta can just go on a long fast and be fine. If it has a live plant in its bowl, so much the better, as it will nibble a bit on the plant in the interim.
Long vacations – more than a week
For long vacations, have someone feed the fish at least every few days. Because your betta sitter is so likely to overfood your betta, it’s a good idea to measure out the appropriate portion for each days food in a little plastic baggie, or have specific instructions like “4 freeze dried blood worms a day- NO MORE”. That way there can be no confusion, and no guilt for your betta sitter. Again – definitely avoid the vacation fish food blocks offered at the pet stores – they will only make the tank dirty. The food in them is low quality and really won’t do a lot of good for your fish.
