We recommend feeding your fish 4-5 pellets of the included fish food per day. If you'll be away from your tank for a few days - say, over a weekend - simply feed your fish slightly more (6-7 pellets per day) for the 5 days leading up to your time away. This expanded diet will help your fish fast safely while you are away. If you will be away longer than the weekend we would recommend getting an automatic feeder. Your local pet store will have the most accurate recommendation for the specific brand they carry.