Fish absolutely have feelings—we treat them with the same calm, steady care we give every animal. Stability is everything: consistent feeds, clean top-ups, working heaters and filters, and minimal stress. Here’s how we keep your tank happy while you’re away.
What we do on each visit
Care actions
- Measure food exactly as agreed (labelled pillbox or sachets are perfect).
- Observe fish: appetite, swimming, clamped fins, gasping, odd behaviour.
- Top-up evaporated water (see method below); wipe salt creep/spills.
- Check temperature display; confirm filter flow and air stone.
Updates & extras
- Quick photo/video note after each visit.
- Emergency contact protocol if we spot anything concerning.
- Simple timer/light checks; curtain adjust if requested.
Feeding schedules (flakes, pellets, frozen)
Less is safer than more while you’re away. We follow your routine exactly and won’t improvise brands or amounts. If you’re unsure, set up a weekly pillbox with labelled portions.
| Food type | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flake / micro-pellet | 1× daily (light), or 2× tiny | Only what’s eaten in ~30–60 seconds. |
| Sinking pellets (goldfish/cory) | 1× daily (light) | Pre-count pieces to avoid overfeeding. |
| Frozen (daphnia, brine, bloodworm) | 2–3× weekly max | Pre-portion; thaw in tank water first. |
| Vegetable clip (goldfish/pleco) | 2–3× weekly | Blanched peas/courgette; remove after a few hrs. |
Safe water top-ups & quick checks
Evaporation concentrates minerals; we replace only what’s evaporated—not a full water change during short trips, unless you’ve pre-mixed and instructed us.
Top-up method
- Freshwater tanks: dechlorinated tap water (pre-dosed jug you provide), slow pour to avoid shocking fish.
- Cold spells: match room temp; avoid chilling.
- Saltwater (if applicable): top-up with RO/DI only (no salt)—as instructed.
Quick stability checks
- Heater light cycling normally; temp within target range.
- Filter output steady (no grinding sounds, not stalled).
- Surface movement present (oxygenation).
Notes by tank: tropical, goldfish, betta
Tropical community
24–26°C; tiny feeds. Watch for gasping, clamped fins or flashing. Lights on timers help keep stress low.
Goldfish
Cooler water; messy eaters—err on the light side. Veg clip 2–3× weekly; keep oxygenation robust.
Betta
26–28°C, gentle flow, no overeating. Remove mirrors; ensure lid coverage for labyrinth organ breathing.
Holiday checklist (before you go)
- Label a feeding pillbox with days/times and portion sizes.
- Leave a pre-dosed dechlorinator jug for top-ups; note target waterline.
- Plug lights to a timer; note heater set-point and typical reading.
- Write the filter power switch location and any priming steps (we won’t clean media unless agreed).
- Leave vet/contact details and an emergency plan (power cut, equipment failure).
Book a fish-feeding visit
We offer calm, reliable fish feeding & tank top-ups in Saltaire—following your routine, with photo notes after each visit. Message with your dates, tank type and feeding plan.
Keywords: fish sitter Saltaire, aquarium top-ups.
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DBS checked, insured, and we send a short photo note after each visit.