Automatic Fish Feeders

Feed Your Fish on Schedule, Even When You're Not Home

Missing a feeding or two isn't usually a big deal for fish, but going away for a week without a plan is a different story. HardyPaw's automatic fish feeders and slow-release feeding blocks give you a way to keep fish fed on a consistent schedule, whether you're at work all day or away for a weekend trip.

Shop Fish Feeders

• Automatic Betta Feeder: The Bettamatic dispenses a daily portion of food on its own, giving betta owners a hands-off way to keep feeding consistent day to day, not just while traveling.
• 7-Day Vacation Feeding Blocks: Slow-release blocks for tropical fish and goldfish dissolve gradually over about a week, releasing small amounts of food so fish aren't left completely unfed during a short trip.
• Betta Feeding Blocks: A pack of slow-release blocks sized for betta bowls and small tanks, each good for roughly a week of vacation feeding.
• Pleco Feeding Blocks: A slow-dissolving block aimed at bottom feeders like plecos, giving them something to graze on without needing daily attention.

Automatic Feeder vs. Feeding Block: What's the Difference?

An automatic fish food feeder like the Bettamatic is a mechanical device that dispenses a measured portion on a set schedule, useful for keeping a routine going even when you're simply busy. A feeding block, on the other hand, is a slow-dissolving food source you drop into the tank before you leave, and it releases food gradually over several days without any moving parts. Both solve the same underlying problem, just in different ways. 

Choosing the Right Fish Feeder for Your Setup

• Type of Fish: Betta owners have the most options here, with both a mechanical auto feeder and dedicated feeding blocks built specifically for betta bowls and small tanks.
• Trip Length: For a weekend away, a slow-release feeding block is usually enough. For daily feeding you don't want to think about, a mechanical feeder like the Bettamatic handles it automatically.
• Tank Size: Feeding blocks are sized for smaller tanks and bowls rather than large, heavily stocked aquariums, so match the block size to your setup rather than assuming one size fits every tank.
• Bottom Feeders: If you're keeping plecos or other bottom-dwelling fish, a pleco-specific feeding block is built to sit and dissolve where they actually feed, rather than floating at the surface.

Tips for Using a Feeding Block or Auto Feeder

• Don't Overdo It: Adding more than one block or overfilling a feeder can lead to the same overfeeding problems as feeding too much by hand, so stick to the recommended amount for your tank size.
• Test Before You Travel: If you're using a mechanical feeder for the first time, run it for a day or two before an actual trip so you can catch any issues while you're still there to fix them.
• Keep Food Dry: Moisture is the main reason auto feeders jam or clump, so store backup food in a dry spot and keep the feeder's lid sealed between uses.

Why Buy Fish Feeders from HardyPaw?

• Trusted Brands: We carry the Zoo Med Bettamatic along with Aqueon and Zoo Med feeding blocks, both established names in aquarium care.
• Options for Different Needs: Whether you want a daily automatic feeder or a simple slow-release block for a short trip.
• Fair Pricing: Straightforward pricing on tools that make fish care easier.
• Fast Delivery: Order online and get your feeder or feeding blocks shipped quickly.
• Expert Advice: Not sure which option suits your trip or tank? Our team can help you decide.

FAQs About Automatic Fish Feeders

Q1: How long can a slow-release feeding block last?

Ans: Most vacation feeding blocks, including the Aqueon and Zoo Med options HardyPaw carries, are built to last roughly seven days, making them a good fit for a typical week-long trip.

Q2: Is the Bettamatic only for betta fish?

Ans: Yes, it's built specifically as a betta fish auto feeder, sized and calibrated for betta bowls and small betta tanks rather than larger community aquariums.

Q3: Can I use a feeding block and my regular food at the same time?

Ans: Yes, feeding blocks are typically used while you're away rather than as a daily replacement for regular flakes or pellets, so you can go back to normal feeding once you're home.

Q4: What happens if I add too many feeding blocks at once?

Ans: Adding more than the recommended amount can lead to the same problems as overfeeding by hand, including cloudy water and ammonia spikes, so stick to one block per tank unless the product specifically says otherwise.

Q5: Do I need a feeding block for a pleco tank, or will regular food work?

Ans: Regular food works fine day to day, but a pleco-specific feeding block gives bottom feeders something to graze on if you're away, since it's designed to sit where they actually feed rather than float at the surface.