Is it okay to feed my fish every other day?
David Mccullough
Updated on February 26, 2026
For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
Can I feed my fish every 3 days?
In general, most fish do quite well on one feeding per day. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish twice a day. Young, growing fish might need to eat three or more times per day. Regardless of the number of feedings, the key is to keep each feeding very small.Do you have to feed fish every day?
In general, most fish do quite well on one or two feedings per day. Most fish require 16 to 24 hours to fully digest the food they eat, so a once-a-day feeding is quite sufficient. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish very lightly twice a day.Is it good not to feed fish one day 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 many days can fish go without feeding?
Most healthy aquarium fish can go three days to a week without eating. However, it usually isn't recommended to go more a day or two without feeding unless completely necessary.Why I Only Feed My Fish Once A Day Now
How do I know my fish are hungry?
How To Tell If Your Fish Is Hungry
- Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
- Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
- Behavior changes (aggression).
- Noticeable weight/size changes.
- Slow or sluggish behavior.
Is it OK to not feed fish for two days?
Don't Feed Your FishAs for food, freshwater fish are quite capable of going for several days without a meal. Healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. However, young fish don't have the fat stores of adult fish and they cannot go without eating very long.