How Long Can Angelfish Go Without Food?
If you are an aquarist, you may wonder how long it takes for an angelfish to die without food.
What do you think? How about two days, or maybe five days.
Nope!
In fact, healthy adult angelfish can live without food for up to 2 weeks! Of course, many factors determine this duration, such as the angelfish type, age, size, tank conditions, etc.
If you want a definitive answer to your question, look no further. In this article, we will answer what affects the survival duration of your tropical fish and how long can angelfish go without food.
How Long Does It Take Angelfish to Live Without Food?
As a rule of thumb, juvenile angelfish can survive three days without food. On the other hand, adult angelfish may live for a week and sometimes up to two weeks without eating anything.
But as we mentioned before, this period may change depending on different factors. Let’s take a look at the main ones.
What Affects The Survival Duration Of Angelfish Without Food?
1. Size Of Angelfish
Angelfish, or any living organism, use food as a source of energy to move, reproduce and grow.
Similar to humans, some food is stored for later use, and the fish will draw on this to survive.
In other words, the bigger the fish is, the longer it can survive without food, as it will have a bigger reservoir of fats and muscles to live on.
2. Angelfish Age
Age is another critical factor that affects how long an angelfish can go without food. Like all living things, younger fish have a higher metabolism and require more food to survive.
As they age, their metabolism slows down, and they can live without food for a more extended period.
3. Angelfish Diet
The diet of a fish will have a direct impact on its survival. Many aquarists rely solely on flakes and baby brine shrimp, which don’t provide the fish with enough nutrition to develop a big fat reserve.
I have nothing against flakes. In fact, there are many excellent angelfish food products on the market nowadays.
However, relying on a single food source will result in malnutrition (and possibly death) if given for too long.
For this reason, it’s important to provide your angels with a well-balanced diet that includes vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates from various sources, including a combination of frozen food and live food such as brine shrimp and blood worms.
This will allow your healthy adult fish to develop an energy reservoir and go longer without food.
4. Water Temperature
The temperature has a direct correlation with the metabolic rate of an organism.
This means that the warmer a place is, its bio-system will be more active and alive.
Fish metabolisms are particularly susceptible to changes in temperature. A 1°C change can drastically impact how fast it burns through energy reserves.
As a general rule, the lower the temperature, the longer angelfish can go without food.
This would not be a problem in nature as long as the temperature change is gradual.
However, if the temperature rises or drops quickly in an aquarium, it can cause thermal shock to the fish and may even lead to death.
5. Water Quality
The water parameters will also determine how well the fish can function. For example, if the water contains too much ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, the fish will need extra energy to filter it out of their system.
Angels are particularly sensitive to changes in these parameters and may die or become ill if not provided with clean water.
In addition, a sudden reduction in the water quality can cause stress and shock its metabolism, leading to death. Therefore, the fish must have access to clean, well-oxygenated water.
This will allow them to survive longer without food as their energy reserves won’t be used up detoxifying their enclosure.
6. Tank Mates and Number of Fish in the Aquarium
The number of tank mates will determine how much food is available in the aquarium.
If more fish are in the tank, they will compete for food, and the angelfish may not get enough to eat.
In contrast, if you have a single angelfish in an empty tank, it has 100% of the food resources. In this case, your fish will have a better chance of survival without food.
How to Feed Your Angelfish When You Are on Vacation?
1. Ask Your Neighbor for a Friend
The easiest approach to ensure that your angelfish is well-fed while you are away is to have a friend or neighbor come over to feed them.
However, you should inform them of how much food your angelfish require and the feeding schedule.
2. Use an Automatic Feeder
In case you don’t have anyone to take care of your fish, the next best option is using an automatic feeder.
Automatic feeders come in different shapes and sizes. Some are designed to release a set amount of food at pre-determined intervals while others allow you to control the feeding schedule remotely.
However, if your automatic fish feeder stops operating or begins dispensing too much food, it might create issues. Some fish might gorge themselves and become sick while others might starve.
3. Use Slow-Release Fish Food
The third option, and the most affordable one, is to feed your angelfish using slow-release fish food.
Slow-release fish food is a large block of fish food that you put into your tank and which dissolves, disintegrates, and feeds your fish over time.
There are two main types of slow-release fish food:
a. Weekend Feeder Blocks
As their name implies, weekend feeder blocks will last for up to three days. So if you plan on being gone for two to three days, these blocks are ideal.
Simply drop them in your tank and watch them break down over two to three days, keeping your angelfish well-nourished.
b. Vacation Feeder Blocks
If you are planning for a long vacation for up to two weeks then you can use vacation feeder blocks to keep your fish well-fed when you are away.
The table below summarizes some slow-releasing fish food items, their validity, and the species to which they are suited.
| Brand | Lasts for | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| TetraPond | 14 Days | Pond fish |
| Tetra Weekend | 14 Days | Tropical fish |
| Zoo Med | 14 Days | Bottom feeder |
| Zoo Med Mini | 7 Days | Gourami and small fry |
| Zoo Med Betta | 7 Days | Betta |
| Pyramid Automatic feeder | 3 Days | All types of fish |
FAQs
How Long Can Angelfish Survive Without Filter?
Angelfish can live without a filter for 12 hours. In addition, if the aquarium is properly maintained, it may live for a longer time.
However, if the aquarium is excessively congested and unsanitary, your fish will most certainly die before there is enough oxygen in the water.
How Often Should Angelfish Eat?
Angelfish should eat 2-3 times per day. This can be done by feeding them small meals throughout the day or by offering them a larger meal once or twice per day.
It is important to ensure that the food you are offering is of high quality and freshness.
What Do Angelfish Eat in the Wild?
In the wild, angelfish feed on a variety of foods including algae, plants, small insects, and crustaceans.
Can Angelfish Eat Other Fish?
Angelfish can eat small fish that can fit into their mouth. So, it is best to not house angelfish with fish that are small enough for them to eat.
Do Angelfish Eat Their Babies?
Angelfish do eat their babies when they are not getting enough food or if the tank is too small. So, it is best to provide plenty of food and a large tank for angelfish to prevent them from eating their babies.
What Happens if Angelfish Eat Too Much?
When angelfish eat too much, they can become constipated. This can be a serious health issue for fish and can lead to death if not treated promptly.
If you suspect that your fish are constipated, observe their behavior and look for signs of distress.
What Happens if Angelfish Don’t Eat?
If angelfish don’t eat, they can become malnourished and may eventually die.
It is important to make sure that your fish are getting enough food and that the food you are offering is of high quality and freshness.
Last Words
Remember that clean water, a balanced diet, and the age of your fish are all factors to consider that affect your aquarium fish’s survival duration.
We hope this article provided you with an estimation of how long can your angelfish live without food.
If you still have any questions, please share them with us in the comment section below.
