How Long Can Discus Fish Live Without Food?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Discus fish larger than 10 cm and other semi-grown fish can survive quite well without food for

2-3 weeks

. Larger and older fish can survive even longer, from 1 to 2 months.

How long can you leave fish unfed?

This depends on what kind of fish you have.

Most cold water fish will be fine for one week without food

, however tropical fish usually need to be fed more often. There are a few options for keeping your fish fed while you’re on holiday.

Can fish go 2 weeks without food?

A healthy, grown-up aquarium fish can go from 3 days to 1 whole week, without eating any food.

Some fish species can even live for more than 2 weeks without eating

. Whether in nature or in an aquarium – an adult fish has sufficient body mass and fat reserves to skip a couple of meals once in a while.

What to do if discus is not eating?

If they have done the above them my answer is simply

raise the temperature

. This will always stimulate appetite and end their hunger strike. I would start by heating the tank up to 88-90 degrees, leave it there for a few days, and if they don’t start to eat go higher.

Is salt good for discus fish?

Discus seem to thrive with water changing conditions anyway, so

a adding a SMALL amount of salt can help

. Plus if used with interpet number nine , this will wipe out a bacterial infection better if used the same time as the salt.

Do discus really need daily water changes?


Discus fish don’t require daily water changes unless they are juveniles

, and you want to grow them to their maximum potential. However, they still need frequent water changes, and you should certainly do it if you want to raise a healthy, big, and beautiful fish.

How long can fish go without oxygen?

Goldfish and their wild crucian carp relatives can survive for

five months

without breathing oxygen – and now we know how. The fish have evolved a set of enzymes that, when oxygen levels drop, ultimately helps convert carbohydrates into alcohol that can then be released through the gills.

Is it OK to not feed fish for a day?


Fish can go a week or two without a meal without a problem in most cases

. Fish in well established tanks can last even longer, since they are eating planaria and other bugs, live plants in planted tanks and almost any fish will try some algae out if its the only thing around.

How long do fish live out of water?

In Summary. On average, fish can live about

10 minutes

outside of water but can die faster if they land on an absorbent surface. However, saltwater fish will often live longer, and certain fish, like amphibious fish, have particular adaptations that enable them to last for a long time outside of the water.

Can fish survive 10 days without food?

While

a collection of large, healthy cichlids can easily go seven to 10 days without fish food

, an aquarium full of baby fish will need to be fed after a day or two. In any case, a few tricks can be used to extend the interval between meals and still ensure the continued health of your fish.

What to do if fish not eating?

Perhaps your fish has just become picky and is bored of eating the same food every day. Along with the branded food you feed your fish try feeding them a variety of live foods. If they are still not eating, don’t leave it too long.

Call the fish vet

.

What can you feed fish if you have no fish food?


Cooked vegetables (peas, cauliflower, pumpkin, carrots, etc.), boiled or steamed

, are great food alternatives to fish food flakes once in a while for your omnivorous and herbivorous aquarium fish. You can even feed some fish (goldfish and koi in particular) cooked rice or oatmeal.

How old is a 2 inch discus?

A 2 1⁄2 inch discus fish is only

three months old

when they are shipped to customers. The growth rate from 2 1⁄2 inch to 4 inch keeping the fish in a small aquarium will only take four more months.

Will discus eat live food?

It is highly practical to have live food on hand, as

newly born and recovering discus fish will most likely prefer to eat live food than freeze-dried flakes or frozen food right away

. Discus fish, like every other living organism, require certain vitamins in order to maintain their nutritional needs.

How do I know if my discus is happy?

A healthy Discus

should always be lively, should have their fins open, and curious about what’s going on inside the tank

and… outside. It’s attention towards the exterior is a good sign. Of course, we’re talking about a “shy” fish so its curiosity will not ever be comparable with that of a carp, as an example.

Why is my discus dark?


If the fish tank is too small then the discus fish may get stress from it and from stress black or dark colour may appear on the body of the discus fish

. One discus fish needs a minimum of 7 gallon of space to live healthily. This is a rule of thumb.

How do you keep discus water quality perfect?

Discus prefer warm, soft, acidic water. pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, with hardness between 1° and 4° dKH (18 to 70 ppm). Temperature should be kept between 82° and 86° F, although wild Heckel discus prefer water near 90° F. Use an Aqueon Aquarium Heater to maintain proper water temperature.

Why do discus fish stay at the top of the tank?

A fish may linger near the surface

because he’s trying to breathe more easily

. Remember, fish breathe dissolved oxygen—not oxygen that is already combined in the H2O molecule. Naturally, these dissolved oxygen levels tend to be higher near the surface, where interaction between air and water takes place.

How long does discus fish live?

Discus fish, kept in good conditions, can live for

up to 15 years

and reach sizes of up to 20 centimetres / 8” in diameter! They are fully grown at the age of approximately 2 to 2.5 years!

Can angelfish live with discus?

Angelfish are usually peaceful, but they can be aggressive when feeding and breeding. Discus fish are docile and may be deprived of food by angelfish.

You can put them together but make sure the discus fish is eating

.

Can you keep 3 discus?

Keeping just 2 or 3 often results in 1 or 2 of them being badly mistreated, by 1 or 2 others, which produces a lot of stress and may well result in a fatality. If your tank is not large enough (min. around 55 gals), don’t attempt to keep less than 5 discus, or you’re asking for trouble.

How long can a fish live in a bowl without a filter?

A fish live without a filter for

a maximum of seven days and a minimum of three days

. A filter helps clean the water over and over again, so the toxins in it don’t settle down.

How do I know if my fish is lacking oxygen?

Symptoms of Low Oxygen


They will swim less vigorously and even eat less often

. As oxygen levels drop further, the fish will begin to show labored breathing and more rapid gill movements as they desperately attempt to get enough oxygen from the water by passing more water over their gills.

Can fish survive in a bag overnight?

A fish will live comfortably in a bag containing water for

between 7 and 9 hours

. Many fish pet stores will add more oxygen into the bag, meaning that it can survive for up to 48 hours.

Can I feed my fish once a week?


Don’t Feed Them Once a Week

Even without lots of aquatic plants, aquarium fish are fine without fish food for a week. In fact, one of the best things you can do for your aquarium fish is to not feed them one day a week.

How do you know when your fish is hungry?

  1. Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
  2. Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
  3. Behavior changes (aggression).
  4. Noticeable weight/size changes.
  5. Slow or sluggish behavior.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep,

most fish do rest

. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.