It is so difficult to make a decision when you know you aren't going to be around for a bit. I'm going away tomorrow morning and won't be back until the evening after that and just told hubby to remove any dead fish. Sounds sick but I've had a few guppies dying lately. I sure hope it is none of my saltwater collection as I know way less about them yet. If I'm only gone a couple of days I don't let anyone feed the fish but more than 2 nights and I get someone to feed them as well. See I'm straying off your topic here :))

I was going to also add that I believe brine shrimp are not high in protein. A figure of 4% protein rings a bell. I think that bloodworms and blackworms are much higher.

Hope your Mum's surgery goes well!