Betta fish can go without food for approximately 3 to 4 days, although this is not recommended under normal circumstances. In a situation where feeding is impossible for a week, a healthy Betta fish should be able to survive, although it will not be in optimal health.
Betta fish are carnivorous, and in their natural habitat, they would eat every day. However, they have evolved to be able to withstand periods of food scarcity. When there is food, they will eat and build up energy reserves by storing fat and glycogen in their liver and muscle tissues. If food becomes scarce, they can draw on these reserves for a certain amount of time-usually about one week.
It's important to remember that while a Betta fish can theoretically survive without food for up to a week, this doesn't mean it's a good idea to deprive them of food intentionally for this length of time. Doing so would put significant stress on the animal and may lead to long-term health problems.
If you're a Betta fish owner and you're going to be away for a week or less, you could consider using an automatic fish feeder to maintain a consistent feeding schedule. Another option could be asking a friend or family member to drop by every few days to feed your fish.
It's also crucial to remember that Betta fish are prone to overeating, which can also result in health problems. Adult Betta fish should typically be fed one or two times per day, a small portion each time. Overfeeding can cause problems like obesity and constipation, and it can also cloud up the aquarium water and cause changes in water quality.
In conclusion, while Betta fish can survive without food for up to 7 days, it is not good for their health and wellbeing. Therefore, it's important to keep their feeding routine as consistent as possible, even when you are unable to feed them personally.