Do you have to feed a pet fish before you eat (like an animal)?
Answer:
Even fish are included in the obligation to feed animals before one eats. Often, however, the time when one goes to eat is not the 'feeding time' of the fish, and in this case, one can certainly be lenient with regard to fish.
Sources:
This is ruled by She'elas Yaavatz (1:17), because even fish can perform labor (Bava Kama 55). This, however, is something of a chiddush, and therefore although with regard to regular animals there is a discussion among poskim concerning 'feeding time' (see Nefesh Kol Chai, Chap. 11, no. 16), one can certainly be lenient with regard to fish, as mentioned.
