So you’re heading off on a well-earned break—yay, you! But wait… what about your Betta? Can they survive a few days without food? Will they throw a tiny fish tantrum while you’re gone? Don’t worry. With a little planning, your Betta buddy will be just fine while you’re off sipping piña coladas.

CAN BETTAS GO WITHOUT FOOD fOR A FEW DAYS?

Short answer: Yes, they can.

Healthy adult Bettas can safely go 5–7 days without food.

In fact, a short fasting period can even help clear up minor digestive issues.

But anything longer than that? Time to plan ahead.

VACATION SCENARIOS & WHAT TO DO

YOU’RE AWAY FOR UP TO 7 DAYS

You can fast them. Yep, really!

As long as your fish is an adult in good shape and the tank is stable, a short fast won’t harm them (and can even help prevent bloating).

Just be sure to:

• Do a partial water change before you leave
• Top off the water level
• Make sure the heater and filter are working perfectly
• Keep lighting on a timer if possible

If it gives you peace of mind, you can always ask a friend to check in.

But for most short trips, your Betta will be just fine holding down the fort.

YOU’RE AWAY FOR 7+ DAYS

If you’ll be gone longer than a week, it’s time to plan ahead more carefully.

BEST OPTION: A TRUSTED FISHSITTER

Ask a trusted friend or fish sitter to feed your Betta once every 2–3 days using pre-portioned food.

This helps avoid overfeeding and keeps things simple.

If you travel frequently, consider a reliable automatic feeder, but always test it in advance to make sure it’s working properly and not overfeeding.

Clean water, consistency, and caution are key for longer trips.

WHAT ABOUT WATER CHANGES?

If you’re only gone for a week or less, a good water change right before you leave is usually enough to keep things stable — especially if your tank is already cycled and well-maintained.

For trips longer than 7 days, here’s what to do:

• Do a partial water change (25–30%)
• Clean the filter (but don’t replace all media!)
• Check for any signs of stress or illness

Avoid asking someone to do water changes unless they know what they’re doing.

Improper cleaning can cause more harm than good.

If you’re gone for 2+ weeks, either:

• Ask an experienced aquarist friend to help
• Or keep ammonia/nitrites in check with light feeding and a healthy, planted tank

Remember: a stable, clean environment is better than someone doing a rushed water change and stressing your fish.