i am getting gf for the second time, but i have a problem. I leave my house every two weeks for a weekend....how should i feed them? I heard of vacation blocks that desolve slow, but what about clean up? can they go without food for a few days? help!

goldfish do fine for two days with out food, depending on how big they are. An average sized gf in an adequate tank environment will do well with a 2 days fasting every so often, i dont feed my fish on sunday. It allows their systems to clean out and they pick at algea and stuff when they arent being fed. Just make sure your fish is properly housed and the mess wont be a problem. Good luck with your fishies!

I would NOT recommend those feeding blocks--they foul up the tank!

Meg_Carroll is very correct about just not feeding them while you are gone. It is much better for them.

I left my two about every other weeked last year, i'd feed them friday morning or before i left then when i got back sunday. This was before i found this place and found out it was good to let them have a fast day. They were fine. You could always get some of the oxygenating plant thet they will eat.

thank you SOOO much for your help!

I have read on this board that goldfish can go for up to 8 days without food.
From what I understand if you leave the light off they will be less active and it will be okay for them to go without food for this period of time. I've not yet done this.

I leave mine alone every 2 weeks for the weekend too and they are perfectly fine not eating then. They go crazy dancing for food when I come back on Sunday night though

I know what you mean Silver - mine usually try to eat my fingers when i feed them after being away, very glad they don't have big teeth and all i get are soft goldfish kisses