Should I use an automatic fish feeder while I am away?

An automatic feeder can be useful if it is already part of your routine, but do not rely on an untested device. Set it up well before travelling and check that it releases the intended food without becoming damp or blocked.

How much food should I leave for a fish sitter?

Leave one pre-measured serving for every planned feed, based on your established routine and the food label. Add only a few clearly marked spare servings, and tell the sitter when a spare may be used.

Should a fish sitter clean the aquarium?

Usually, a sitter should only complete cleaning tasks that are due, clearly documented and already familiar to them. Arrange routine maintenance before travelling where possible, and state which equipment and tank contents must not be cleaned or moved.

How often should a fish sitter send updates?

Ask for an update after each visit or at another agreed interval. A brief message with a clear photograph of the tank and equipment is often more useful than a long description.

What if I have several aquariums?

Give every aquarium a clear name or number and keep its food and instructions together. Use separate labelled servings for each tank, even when the fish appear to eat the same food.

How to leave fish with a holiday sitter

By The Pet Care Card teamUpdated 28 September 2026 6 min read

Short answer

Leave your fish sitter pre-measured food, a simple visit schedule and clear instructions for checking the tank and equipment. Demonstrate the routine before you travel, label anything they may use and provide your contact details. Ask them not to clean, adjust or add anything unless your written instructions specifically require it.

Fish may not need walks or litter changes, but their care can be surprisingly easy to disrupt. Overfeeding, unnecessary cleaning and accidental equipment adjustments are common handover problems.

Your sitter should know exactly what to feed, what to check and what to leave alone. A short demonstration and one written care card make the routine much easier to follow.

Write down the essential tank information

Start with a short description of the aquarium so the sitter can identify it and understand which fish belong in it. This is particularly important if you have several tanks.

Record only information the sitter needs for routine care. Keep technical notes separate unless the sitter is experienced and has agreed to handle more involved tasks.

The tank location and a simple description
The fish names, species or distinguishing features
Which lights and equipment should normally be running
The usual appearance and sound of the equipment
Any lids, doors or cables that must remain secured

Label each tank clearly
List the fish assigned to each tank
Photograph the normal equipment setup
Add your contact details to the care card

Pre-measure every serving of food

Do not ask a sitter to judge portions by eye. Place each normal serving in a separate labelled container or compartment, with one serving for each scheduled feed.

Use the fish's established portion and schedule, checking the food label if needed. Keep the main food container out of the routine care area so an extra scoop is not added accidentally.

Label servings by day, tank and feeding time
Explain whether frozen or refrigerated food needs preparation
State whether uneaten food is normally removed
Write down any days when no food is scheduled
Keep food sealed and stored in its usual safe place

Prepare enough labelled servings for the whole trip
Add a small number of clearly marked spare servings
Remove old or unlabelled food from the handover area
Tell the sitter not to provide extra food

Show the sitter what to check at each visit

A visit should include a quick visual check of the aquarium and its equipment. Keep the list short enough to complete consistently.

Show the sitter what the tank normally looks and sounds like. A reference photograph can help them notice a displaced lid, an unusual water level or equipment that is no longer running.

Confirm that the filter and other normally running equipment are on
Check that the water level is close to the marked normal level
Make sure the lid is secure
Check that the light follows its usual timer or schedule
Look for leaks or water around the tank
Send the agreed update or photograph

Mark the normal water level on the tank
Photograph indicator lights when equipment is running normally
Demonstrate how to secure the lid
Agree when visit updates should be sent

Decide whether water care is needed

For a short absence, it may be simpler to complete routine maintenance before leaving and ask the sitter not to change the water. Do not assign a water change unless it will fall due and the sitter already understands the process.

If water care is necessary, provide written instructions based on your established routine. Prepare and label the required equipment, and demonstrate the task in person before your trip.

State clearly whether water changes are allowed
Write the usual volume rather than using vague wording
Identify the correct bucket, siphon and other equipment
Explain where used water should be emptied
Tell the sitter not to rinse filter material or rearrange the tank unless instructed

Complete planned maintenance before departure where practical
Label aquarium-only buckets and tools
Keep household cleaning products away from tank equipment
Write down which tasks must not be attempted

Protect timers, plugs and equipment settings

Aquarium equipment can be easy to switch off accidentally. Identify the plugs that must remain connected and make sure the sitter can reach the tank without moving cables or controls.

Ask the sitter not to adjust temperatures, timers, valves or flow settings. If something appears wrong, they should contact you rather than experimenting with unfamiliar equipment.

Label plugs that must remain on
Cover or note controls that should not be changed
Keep spare equipment separate from daily care supplies
Explain which wall switch controls the room light rather than the aquarium
Leave a torch somewhere easy to find

Test timers before leaving
Secure loose cables
Check that plugs are accessible
Add an equipment photograph to the care card

Create a simple problem plan

Your instructions should focus on contacting the right person and preventing further disruption. The sitter should not dismantle equipment or add unfamiliar products unless you have given a specific written procedure.

List the order in which people should be contacted if you cannot respond. Include someone nearby who understands your aquarium setup if possible.

Your primary and backup phone numbers
A local backup caregiver with access to the home
The aquarium service or specialist you normally use, if applicable
The location of the water shut-off for a significant leak
Clear instructions to send photographs or a short video

Confirm that every contact has agreed to help
Test the sitter's access to the home
Write down where towels and aquarium tools are kept
Keep the area around the tank clear

Run through the routine before you leave

Arrange a short handover while you are still at home. Ask the sitter to complete one normal feed and equipment check while you watch, rather than relying only on a verbal explanation.

Finish by reviewing the tasks that should not be done. Clear boundaries are especially useful for cleaning, adding products, changing settings and providing extra food.

Demonstrate one full visit
Show where food and equipment are stored
Confirm the visit dates and approximate times
Explain how the sitter should report each visit
Walk through the contact plan

Provide keys and test them
Leave the care card beside the food
Remove clutter from the tank area
Send the sitter a digital copy of the instructions
Confirm the first scheduled visit

Frequently asked questions

Should I use an automatic fish feeder while I am away?: An automatic feeder can be useful if it is already part of your routine, but do not rely on an untested device. Set it up well before travelling and check that it releases the intended food without becoming damp or blocked.
How much food should I leave for a fish sitter?: Leave one pre-measured serving for every planned feed, based on your established routine and the food label. Add only a few clearly marked spare servings, and tell the sitter when a spare may be used.
Should a fish sitter clean the aquarium?: Usually, a sitter should only complete cleaning tasks that are due, clearly documented and already familiar to them. Arrange routine maintenance before travelling where possible, and state which equipment and tank contents must not be cleaned or moved.
How often should a fish sitter send updates?: Ask for an update after each visit or at another agreed interval. A brief message with a clear photograph of the tank and equipment is often more useful than a long description.
What if I have several aquariums?: Give every aquarium a clear name or number and keep its food and instructions together. Use separate labelled servings for each tank, even when the fish appear to eat the same food.