How long can my African Butterfly fish last without food?

[RioDante]

So I went to bed last night around 11pm and woke up at 2am to see my ABF on the floor, I don't know how long he had been there but when I picked him up he moved slightly so i put him straight back in the tank. He seemed to start recovering and breathe well. This morning I woke up and he is doing great swimming normally and has regained all of his color. He doesn't have any cuts or bruises and just has some minor tears on his bottom fins or rays. However he hasn't been willing to eat yet, although he's probably just a little bit stressed out still and also he has always been more of a nocturnal eater anyways. So my question is how long should i wait and start to get worried if he hasn't eaten yet. Keep in mind it's only been 8 hours since i put him back.
Thanks for any help that you're willing to give!!

 

[Wailua Boy]

Wait a fews days, sometimes they can suffer internal injuries and feeding can make worse. Your fish, assuming its at a healthy weight presently can fast for weeks typically

 

[tlindsey]

So I went to bed last night around 11pm and woke up at 2am to see my ABF on the floor, I don't know how long he had been there but when I picked him up he moved slightly so i put him straight back in the tank. He seemed to start recovering and breathe well. This morning I woke up and he is doing great swimming normally and has regained all of his color. He doesn't have any cuts or bruises and just has some minor tears on his bottom fins or rays. However he hasn't been willing to eat yet, although he's probably just a little bit stressed out still and also he has always been more of a nocturnal eater anyways. So my question is how long should i wait and start to get worried if he hasn't eaten yet. Keep in mind it's only been 8 hours since i put him back.
Thanks for any help that you're willing to give!!

I wouldn't worry to about after 1week. Btw what are you feeding the ABF?

 

[tlindsey]

So I went to bed last night around 11pm and woke up at 2am to see my ABF on the floor, I don't know how long he had been there but when I picked him up he moved slightly so i put him straight back in the tank. He seemed to start recovering and breathe well. This morning I woke up and he is doing great swimming normally and has regained all of his color. He doesn't have any cuts or bruises and just has some minor tears on his bottom fins or rays. However he hasn't been willing to eat yet, although he's probably just a little bit stressed out still and also he has always been more of a nocturnal eater anyways. So my question is how long should i wait and start to get worried if he hasn't eaten yet. Keep in mind it's only been 8 hours since i put him back.
Thanks for any help that you're willing to give!!

Welcome to MFK

 

[RioDante]

I wouldn't worry to about after 1week. Btw what are you feeding the ABF?

Thanks Lindsey, I made an account just to ask this question. I know Bettas can last around a week and a half without eating, so i was thinking that this guy can last longer since he's bigger and really healthy.
I feed him Gutted Mealworms and spiders and crickets that i find in the jungle. I live in Costa Rica so i'm able to find several everyday.

 

[RioDante]

Wait a fews days, sometimes they can suffer internal injuries and feeding can make worse. Your fish, assuming its at a healthy weight presently can fast for weeks typically

Thanks. I'm a bit worried about the internal injuries part, but he seems really well besides the eating thing and the fact that he doesn't have any scrapes or scale damage gives me hope.

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks. I'm a bit worried about the internal injuries part, but he seems really well besides the eating thing and the fact that he doesn't have any scrapes or scale damage gives me hope.

Hopefully no internal injuries, and thats nice to have sources right in your backyard.

 

[RioDante]

Hopefully no internal injuries, and that's nice to have sources right in your backyard.

Yeah, when i brought him home he started to get really colorful and his fins started growing out really nice. I think it's the good food and nice planted setup because at the shop they were barely even feeding them and had them in really bad conditions.

 

[tlindsey]

Yeah, when i brought him home he started to get really colorful and his fins started growing out really nice. I think it's the good food and nice planted setup because at the shop they were barely even feeding them and had them in really bad conditions.

Yes the African Butterfly fish will be fine under your care just make sure you cover all openings as you know they are excellent leapers lol.

 

[RioDante]

Yes the African Butterfly fish will be fine under your care just make sure you cover all openings as you know they are excellent leapers lol.

Yeah it was the first and last time i let the lid open that's for sure.