Away for Months (Study Abroad, Expat Move): How to Arrange Aquarium Care?
For an absence of several weeks to several months (study abroad, an internship overseas, a gradual move), a simple automatic feeder is never enough on its own: you need either someone present regularly in your home, a temporary rehoming of the tank, or, as a last resort, permanently handing the aquarium to someone reliable. Fish are not animals you can leave "on pause": a landmark review of fish cognition, published by researcher Culum Brown in 2015, gathers the evidence that fish perceive pain and hold cognitive abilities comparable to other vertebrates (research on Google Scholar), which is reason enough to take a long absence as seriously as you would for any other pet. Find our other pointers in the travel and safety section.
Why isn't a simple automatic feeder enough for several months?
A feeder, however reliable, does not monitor water parameters, a filter failure, or a leak. Over two weeks, that risk stays manageable, as explained in our guide a two-week holiday and your aquarium. Over several months, the odds of a problem happening with no one around to notice become too high: an incident left undetected for weeks can wipe out the whole tank.
Handing the aquarium to someone: what to prepare
Write a simple care sheet covering the essentials: how much food and how often (see also our guide on feeding blocks without an automatic feeder as a backup option), the normal temperature to check for, and the number of a specialist shop in case of doubt. Do at least one walkthrough with the person before you leave so they can recognise a problem visually, and leave some backup supplies (a net, a bucket, water conditioner).
Should you consider temporarily rehoming the tank?
If no one can drop by your home regularly, temporarily moving the aquarium to a relative's place avoids a lot of complications, as long as the transport is handled carefully so the tank's biological cycle does not collapse. Some pet shops or fishkeeping clubs also offer short-term boarding for fish, an option worth checking locally.
What if no one is available at all?
It is better to give your fish to a serious hobbyist or a trusted pet shop than to attempt an unprepared absence of several months. That is not a failure: a tank left to fend for itself almost always deteriorates, and starting fresh later with a well-organised setup beats sacrificing an aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
Can an automatic feeder cover a two-month absence?
No, it only covers feeding, not equipment failures or water problems. Regular human presence remains essential beyond two to three weeks.
Can you move the aquarium to someone else's home for the trip?
Yes, it is often the safest option if the transport is well prepared, keeping as much of the original tank's water and biological media as possible.
Is it a big deal to rehome your fish before a long trip?
No: it is often the most responsible decision when no reliable care option exists, rather than risking their welfare for months.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Fishkeeping universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.