The presence of algae in your pond doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, when properly controlled, having some green algae (not the blue-green kind) in your garden pond is actually considered healthy and necessary for aquatic ecosystems as they will photosynthesize, produce oxygen, and provide a natural food source for many fish, insects and wildlife species.
If allowed to grow out of control, however, algae can kill everything in your pond as it uses up all of the nutrients and dissolved oxygen content. Utilizing various pond fish, like the ones discussed below, is an environmentally friendly, simple way to ensure that algae populations are kept at a balanced, sustainable level. Although no pond fish will likely be able to fully control a rapid algae bloom (more on this later), they’re a great natural method for reducing it’s growth alongside more traditional means.
Before we get to the best algae eaters, it should be noted that when feeding your fish, make sure that you are not feeding them any more than they can eat within a five minute span. Any uneaten food will add nutrients to the water, further encouraging algal growth. Plus, fewer supplemental feedings for your fish means that they are more likely to feed on any algae that is present. Making use of an automatic feeder can be helpful in these situations to carefully monitor dosage and frequency.
1) Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus)
Q: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, readily.
As a pond owner, a pleco can quickly become your best friend, particularly if you live in a temperate region where algae is more likely to thrive. As mentioned in a previous article about mosquito control, a single adult plecostomus can eat a huge amount of string algae per 1,000 gallons of water, though this does depend on the species of pleco and how much other other food they’re being given. The common pleco (pictured) is one of the largest species at 1-2 feet long, and so logically will eat more algae than the 4 inch bristlenose pleco, which is another popular pond choice. Plecos are easygoing and peaceful, getting along well with most other fish species, though they do best in environments where they’re the only of their kind. Try to only have one pleco per 1,000 gallons of water, particularly if you have one of the larger varieties of the fish. They’re a tropical fish hailing from South America, and so they will have to be brought in for the winter if your pond’s temperature falls below 50°F.
2) Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus Oblongus)
Q: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, readily.
The Siamese algae eater belongs to the freshwater carp family and, as its name implies, is one of the most popular and adept algae consumers for freshwater environments. They’re not picky eaters, and will happily eat all types of algae, from string algae and algae clumps to red algae that many other fish species shy away from. A rather spirited and social species growing up to 6 inches long, they may not pair well with smaller or more docile fish, such as guppies, minnows, or smaller catfish. They often live full lives spanning up to 10 years, but require water to be kept between approximately 70 and 79°F and will need to be transferred to an indoor tank during the winter. They’re suitable to be kept with common goldfish and koi, and would make a good addition to most ponds if you can accommodate their warmer temperature requirements, or if you live in a warm climate all year round.
3) Pond Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Q: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, conservatively.
If you’d rather not worry about having to transfer your algae-eater inside for the winter, a pond loach (also known as the dojo loach or weather loach) may be more suited to you. They’re quite hardy fish, able to live in waters ranging from about 40 to 77°F, and are well-suited for beginner ponders. They can grow up to a foot in length and prefer to live in small groups, although they should be fine in a community of other species so long as they’re docile.
Loaches don’t consume as much algae as species such as certain plecos since they are opportunistic feeders that will also eat insects, plant matter, and food pellets. However, they’re one of the few algae eaters that can not only live in, but prefer, cooler water, which makes them a great choice for pond owners with cooler weather throughout the entire year. If you have really cold winters, it’s still best to bring them indoors where possible or install a pond heater to keep them comfortable.
4) Koi & Goldfish (Cyprinidae)
Q: Will Koi & Goldfish Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, conservatively.
Being two of the most commonly kept pond species, you’ll be happy to hear that both koi and goldfish are omnivores and will indeed feed on algae to some extent. However, algae is certainly not their preferred food source and generally they feed more heavily on algae only during the winter when they are more dormant and there are fewer food options available. In warmer months, both fish species will prefer to eat their regular feed and various pond insects that happen to end up in your water garden.
Having more goldfish or koi in your pond will help ensure that more algae gets eaten,but you may want to also incorporate other algae-eaters as well if you have a significant amount of algae growth. Plecos generally do just fine with koi, but can inadvertently latch onto smaller goldfish and damage their scales and necessary slime coating if there isn’t much swimming space in your pond. If you’re worried about the potential problems of adding more fish species, we recommend using other methods of algae control as both goldfish and koi really do prefer other types of grub!
5) Mollies & Guppies (Poeciliidae)
Guppies, including endlers, as well as mollies can make good algae eaters in small ponds. Public domain.Q: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, conservatively.
If your pond doesn’t have a significant algae issue and you’re looking for smaller, attractive fish, mollies and guppies are a good choice. Like koi and goldfish, algae is not their main diet but they will eat soft green algae off of your pond liner, rocks, plants, and other substrates. In addition, they’re both considered easy species to take care of and will reproduce fairly quickly, meaning that these little guys can put a surprising dent in overall algae growth. If you wind up with too many of them, most pet stores and aquariums are willing to buy mollies and guppies. They will need to be brought inside for the winter, as mollies prefer water above 75°F and guppies do best in temperatures over 55°. If you have a very small water garden, they’re probably one of the most effective (and cheapest) fish species for controlling algae, and will also help keep mosquito larvae and other insects at bay! In larger ponds, they’re less useful as they’ll be readily eaten by larger fish and likely won’t be able to keep up with the algae spread.
6) Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus arnoldi)
An Oto Catfish – Photo by Fremen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsQ: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, readily.
Many fish keepers and small-scale pond owners consider this little catfish to be one of the best algae-eaters out there! Although they are very small in statue, at only 1 to 2 inches long, they are ravenous when it comes to algae, and will happily eat the slimy brown algae and any newly growing algae as soon as it appears. Because of their small size and calm nature, they do well in groups with most other fish species and will not damage other fish as they feed (as mentioned above, this can be a problem with larger suckering algae eaters). They’re also gentle feeders, meaning that they can get to algae in hard to reach places without harming the plants in your pond, which may be useful if your pond has plenty of nooks and crannies.
Not really a good choice for large ponds with bigger species as they’ll get eaten pretty quickly and won’t make much impact on algae growth, but they’re a good choice in smaller water gardens. Also, they’re best suited for tropical climates when it comes to outdoor stocking, as they require warm water temperatures, ideally within the 72-82°F (22-28°C) range.
7) Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus)
A Chinese High-Banded Shark – Photo by OpenCage available under a Creative Commons’s Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license.Q: Will they Eat Algae in Ponds? – Yes, readily.
A shark that eats algae? What? Actually, this fish (also known as the freshwater batfish) is more closely related to the suckering algae eaters talked about in this article than it is to actual sharks. As a bottom feeder, algae makes up the most significant portion of their diet. Batfish have a prominent, high dorsal fin that inspired its name, and bold, banded coloring that makes it quite eye-catching. Despite their ability to grow up to 4 feet long (don’t worry, they’re slow growers), they’re a peaceful species that can easily live in harmony with koi, goldfish, guppies, and many other fish species, and prefer to live in small schools of 3 or more of their own kind.
In addition, they’re quite hardy and prefer cool water with plenty of hiding places, though anywhere between 55-75°F suits them just fine. Since they’re a very large species, you’ll need a decently sized pond to accommodate their growth, so this choice is only really suitable for very large (and deep) pond designs.
8) Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Although only suitable for large ponds, grass carp are very effective for aquatic weed control. Public domain.Q: Will they eat algae in ponds? – Yes, readily.
Originating from Asia, grass carp were specifically brought to the U.S. in the 1960’s to control aquatic weeds in waterways. However, they can breed very quickly. Thus, in many areas it is only legal to have triploid grass carp – that is, grass carp that have an extra set of chromosomes, thus rendering them sterile. This is of particular importance, as they are an invasive species outside of Asia and can wreak havoc on natural ecosystems if allowed to breed.
Grass carp are voracious eaters of potentially problematic aquatic vegetation (like elodea and duckweed). While they won’t typically consume filamentous algae, they do readily eat chara (also known as muskgrass), a type of green algae that is commonly mistaken for a plant due to its plant-like structures. They look strikingly similar to standard carp, but there are a few characteristics that separate them. The dorsal fin of a grass carp is short with fewer than 15 rays (usually 7 or 8), whereas the common carp has more than 15 rays on a larger dorsal fin. They lack barbels, a feature that is present on the common carp, and are also larger, weighing in at an average adult weight of 55 pounds. For this reason, grass carp are better suited for use in lakes or very large ponds.
Conclusion – Which Fish Should I Choose For Algae Control?
As always, this depends on the climate in which you live, your pond itself (including pH level, size, plants, etc.), and your personal preferences, as well as the amount of algae present. If you have a large pond or a significant amount of algal growth, more voracious, larger algae feeders like the pleco, Siamese algae eater, or Chinese high-banded shark may be better suited for your pond. If you have a smaller pond or don’t have a substantial amount of algae, more general species like koi, goldfish, mollies, and guppies will likely work just fine for keeping your pond ecosystem well-balanced.
If your region experiences temperature fluctuations, semi-cold-tolerant fish species include batfish, the pond loach, guppies, koi, and some goldfish species. When choosing an algae eater, you’ll also need to be mindful of the fish already present in your pond – batfish and otocinclus catfish are friendly with other fish, but Siamese algae eaters may be too energetic and stress out any calmer fish present, while koi may eat smaller fish.
Are Pond Fish Enough to Control All Algae?
Sadly, in almost all cases, algae in ponds will eventually begin to grow faster than fish can actively consume it – especially in summer months. Pond fish may be able to graze down algae during quieter periods, but as soon as the sun begins to shine during summer months, algae will slowly start to win the battle and gain a foot-hold over the eco-system. In situations where you’re suffering intense algae growth, the only realistic way to control it would be through more traditional methods designed to target specific algae types and remove them quickly before they can re-grow. These methods include UV clarifiers, pond vacuums, barley straw, and even natural algae deterrents, such as pond plants. All of these methods are safe to use with fish, so combining them alongside your natural algae eaters will ensure you keep the maximum amount of algae growth controlled. More information on these methods can be found in our separate articles below:-
- UV Clarifiers (Green Algae)
- Pond Vacuums (String Algae)
- Barley Straw (All Algae – Long term)
- Pond Plants (All Algae – Long term)
- Water Quality Tests (Slowing Algae Growth)
- Good Quality Fish Food (Less Waste)
I live in Winlaw BC, and have a pond that is about 40 feet across, and 8-10 feet at its deepest. It is becoming algae infested, and I would like to add some fish which can withstand the winters, and will eat the algae. In the Summer we do swim in the pond if that is an issue. Any info, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi Nicolas,
That’s a pretty big pond! You could look into Grass Carp (not common carp – which look similar!). Grass carp are incredibly hardy, tolerate cold winters, and will eat all kinds of pond weeds and algae. They’re actually used frequently in the US and Europe for aquatic weed control in natural water bodies, but could also work well in large garden ponds in smaller stocks.
Any algae eaters from south Korea or taiwan I’m trying to buy some
We have a small pool we turned into a small pond where we have a couple turtles. We live in Georgia. What kind of algae eater would be best for us???
Hi Kimberly,
Georgia gets pretty mild winters, so most algae eaters would be suitable for your climate. However, the main problem I see here is that most turtles are predators, and will very likely try to eat (or nip) smaller fish species in their environment. Even adult common plecos (what I’d usually recommend for small ponds) may become prey depending on the species of turtle you have.
Unless your pond could house much larger fish, such as adult koi or goldfish, I’d personally opt for an alternative algae control measure, such as a UV clarifier. These are very effective at removing the algae which cause green pond water, and are very safe for wildlife and the eco-system. Check here for more info: https://pondinformer.com/best-uv-pond-clarifiers/
I have a Natural Pool/Swim pond in Chesapeake, Virginia, US. The swim area is 12’x14′ and just over 4′ deep. The rest of it varies in depth from 12″-3′ in depth. The main pond portion is free form but overall dimensions are 14’x16′. There is also two upper settling areas that I keep water hyacinth in during the warmer moths; followed by a stream that spills into the pond. Currently I have 14 koi in the 14″-28″ range, one 10″ goldfish, and numerous mosquito fish. For plants I have several pond Lilly’s, rushes, arrowhead, and cat tails in the regeneration area along side the swim area. What would you suggest for an algae eater?
Hi Jamie,
The pond is a little small for grass carp (what many consider the best weed control fish), but you could potentially add a whole bunch of smaller fish, like plecos, to help with algae control. My concern here is that if you’re still getting large amounts of algae growth, even with heavily stocked koi and goldfish (both will eat algae conservatively), as well as plenty of plants, it may be better to try other options, such as a UV clarifier. I’m unsure what kind of algae you’re dealing with, but if you have green water, a week or two of UV treatment will very likely clear up most of it. Check here for more info: https://pondinformer.com/best-uv-pond-clarifiers/
Alternatively, you could try a natural algae killer, such as the one offered by Nualgi Ponds here – https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-algaecide-algae-killer/
This product contains a silica-based algae species called Diatom, which eventually works to out-compete regular nuisance algae. The difference between the two is that diatom is a great food for zooplankton, which in turn, are a favorite food for fish, insects, and wildlife. Once this new type of algae grows to a certain extent, and zooplankton begin to multiply, everything is simply kept in-check by the natural eco-system of the pond. May be worth a shot!
Hey , my name is Chris . My family owns a coal company land reclamation pond. It’s thriving with many species of fish. The pond is about 1.5 acres in diameter and is 15ft deep at the deepest point. Our only issues we are having is mass algae growth and cat-tails. We placed 10 grass carp but recent rains have washed away most of the carp. We have 3 that have survived the past 10 years one has grown to just shy of 4ft in length. Just wondering if there is any other way to control the growth or if we should just get more carp.
Hi Chris,
Did the 10 grass carp have any noticeable impact on the amount of algae while they were all present? If they did, a general rule of stocking grass carp for weed control is about 10-15 adult grass carp per per acre of pond water. Looking at your pond, you could probably get up to 20-25 grass carp in there quite happily, which would essentially be doubling your long-term weed control potential.
If the carp were not effective, I have two questions:
1) Are you certain they were grass carp? (Common carp and Israeli carp can look very similar)
2) Do you just have algae? Or are there other weeds/moss/plants in there, too? (Grass carp prefer eating algae alongside other weeds)
Alongside grass carp, you could also check into water dyes which work very well for slowing the growth of algae in larger bodies of water. They’re bio-degradable, safe for wildlife, and very effective at slowing weed growth. Check here for info: https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-dye/
In regards to the cattails, that’s a whole other problem! Grass carp will have no impact on cattails, so you’d need to consider other options for removal. Sadly, there is no easy way to remove cattails when they’ve grown extensively without also harming the ponds eco-system (e.g., herbicides), so it’s often a slow and arduous process to get them under control. You can check here for some information on potential options: https://pondinformer.com/how-to-kill-cattails-ponds/
I have a Chinese High Fin Shark in a 4,000-gallon pond, I might have two, but I haven’t seen the second one recently. Between the shark and the other fish, I have very little algae in my pond and I live in Southern California.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the comment!
Glad to hear your algae eaters are helping keep your pond in good condition. The Chinese high-fin sharks are a really interesting fish, and certainly one of the better algae eaters out there; especially for larger ponds.
Out of curiosity, how big are your sharks at this point? I was surprised to see just how big these fish can grow. Even koi can appear dwarfed in size when they’re fully mature!
I have an eight by eight by four pond with way to much alge there is just koi and goldfish I live in Leeds England.
Hi Harvey,
What kind of algae do you have? Is this predominately green water algae, or string algae, as well?
You could try adding a few extra algae eating species, such as a bunch of common plecos, but if you have “way too much” algae already, I feel they won’t make a significant dent. When algae gets to certain point, no amount of fish will be able to graze it down, and you’d first need to get it under control with other methods before the fish can become effective at controlling it.
My advise here would be a combination of UV clarifier (for green water) and pond vacuum (for string algae), and making sure water quality and nutrients are within good parameters. Too many nitrates (from feeding/waste) will make algae go crazy!
Once algae is under control, you could add a few more fish to help keep it under control in preparation for next year. Since weather is getting colder now, you shouldn’t get any more significant blooms once the majority is removed, so it’ll be more about preparing for it’s future growth come warmer weather.
Hope that helps!
have a small pond with Koi in the pond we bought the house with the fish and pond
has nice filter but have a lot of green water going to put plecos in it is there any thing else I should do I live in South Carolina
Hi James,
Sorry for the slow reply!
If your problem is primarily green water, I actually just created a guide with different methods to help with that specific issue:- https://pondinformer.com/how-to-clear-green-pond-water/
In general, simply adding a UV Clarifier to the pond and making sure to reduce any excess nutrients through regular cleaning/water changes should be sufficient. Most algae eating fish will certainly help with larger forms of algae, but sadly won’t make a big impact on the small free-swimming green water types.
I had some string algae in a small pond with koi and goldfish in it. In the main pond the fish kept the algae very short but in the overflow chamber the algae was very long and dense. I liked is as it helped with filtration and nitrate control. Then I added some red tilapia and all the string algae disappeared, even in the overflow chamber. I tried to get some string algae back but with no success.
What would be the reason that all the string algae disappeared? How can I get it back?
Hi Hans,
That’s a strange one! I know that most Tilapia species will readily eat filamentous algae, but if they can’t get into the overflow chamber, it can’t be that.
Do you test your water parameters in the overflow? If so, what are the pH/KH parameters like?
Algae growth will suffer (or completely halt) in very low oxygen conditions, as well as within more extreme pH ranges. For example, if your pH is close to 5.0 or as high as 9.0, you would be unlikely see much algae growth at all. Also, if temperatures in the pond suddenly drop, you may no longer see noticeable growth, as most algae species begin to suffer in temps under 60°F (16°C).
Hi, I live In western Washington and dont have much of a algae problem, not sure if it has anuthing to do with this or not, but I have all natural fragrance free clumping and non clumping calcium bentonite and clay cat litter lining the bottom, but i want to add some different species of fish and algae eaters, I have a 275 gallon pond and keep fancy goldfish in it, so any ideas on algae eaters or other fish that are hardy are welcome as well! Yhe pond is about 6-8 ft long by 3-4 ft across and about 3ft deep. Thank you!
Hi Danny,
For small hardy fish you could look into mosquito fish, common minnows, or even red shiners. A bristlenose pleco would be a much better algae eater, but they would require warmer water temperatures and are not as hardy. If you’re interested in other fish outside the “algae eating” category, there is a more general pond fish article with different species here – https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-fish-types/
Hi, I live in Central England and am having problems during the summer months with green water and string algae. I’ve done the normal filter/pump cleaning and chemical treatment of the water and a third water change. My pond is pretty large, 3m x 3m x 80cm with different levels for plants…
I have a stock of comets, goldfish and fantails, around 29 at last count. Some of the mature ones are around 10″ and the younger ones slightly smaller…
Could you suggest any algae eaters that could help get the equilibrium back please?
Hi Alison,
Although fish can be effective at reducing some forms of larger algae, they’re certainly not ideal for clearing green water (the particles are just too small!). Do you have any UV clarification units running? Simply adding a UV clarifier can do wonders for green water in a very short period of time. After the clarifier has reduced the green water algae, you’ll be able to more easily tackle the string algae.
When it comes to fish, options are more limited in the UK as many effective algae eaters, such as plecos, do not do well in cooler climates and would need to be brought indoors most seasons. You already have plenty of goldfish which are likely eating some of the weeds, so I think to keep on top of it, manual removal with a rake, shovel or vacuum would be more effective here. Once the majority is removed, your fish may be able to get back on top of it, but you could also try adding more plants (especially those with broad leaves – lilies etc.) to help reduce sunlight to the water which will further deter algae growth in future.
https://pondinformer.com/best-uv-pond-clarifiers/
https://pondinformer.com/category/pond-plants/
Hi
I live in the uk where the winters can get to -10’c. I have an 18,000lt pond. I have koi and a couple of gold fish in it.
Can you recommend a species of Pleco that will survive in this temperature. I don’t have a major problem with alge but would like it to be a bit less. I am running a nexus 220 with UV filter on it. Any advise much speculated
Thanks
Alastair
Hi Alastair,
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Plecos are tropical fish, so they really should be brought indoors for the winter or they can become ill, stop eating, or even die. They can handle a day or two of cold temps, but beyond that shouldn’t be kept outdoors if temperatures fall outside of their habitable range (around 18-30 degrees Celsius for most plecos). If you’d like more info, feel free to inquire again or check out our pleco article: https://pondinformer.com/cold-water-pleco-pond-guide/
I have three ponds, one in ground about 150 gallons and the other two are storage containers, one at 25 gallons and the other at 50 gallons. All are black plastic. I live in AZ but I keep them heated in winter. I have goldfish and shabunkins in all three, at different sizes, of course. The largest pond had a real breakout of string algae, so as recommended by the pet store, I climbed down into that one and brushed and scraped, using my fingernails, that algae off. That pond has two very large common plecos in it.
The medium sized one needed a pleco, so this last fall and winter I took one from the bigger pond and it did a super job of cleaning, but I was concerned that it wasn’t getting enough to eat because it was turning itself upsaide down to get the goldfish flakes when I fed every morning. So, I put that one back in the big pond to help with the string algae, but the string algae had a head start and eventually took over. Now that I cleaned it, I’m waiting to see if those two plecos can keep up.
The smallest pond seems to be doing fine. I have a pleco in that one, might be a bristlenose. Sides are pretty clean.
Now the 50 gallon one needs cleaning. It has about 13 goldfish at about 3 inches long. It has no pleco in it now and the slime algae is building. What would be the best type of algae eater to get?
Hi Karen,
I would suggest an Otocinclus catfish, as they gobble up all types of algae and generally get along with all other fish species, plecos included. Having both the plecos and that catfish should greatly help, as maybe there is some algae that the pleco either doesn’t want to eat or can’t get to for whatever reason. Otocinclus catfish are only an inch or two long, so they can get into tighter spaces for algae. You’ll want to get three or more, as their small size does limit how much they can eat, even though they love algae. For your larger pond, you may consider a high-fin banded shark. These grow several feet long, and are quite docile so they get along well with other fish. They don’t like to be alone, though, so you’ll need to make sure that you have enough space to comfortably have two or three of these guys.
Hello, I have a smallish (400 gallon, almost 4′ deep) pond in Virginia Beach. It currently houses a dozen fathead minnows and three baby koi. I have a water clarifier but I’m having issues with heavy algae growth on the bottom and on my plants. Are there any algae-eaters that could live in such an environment year-round?
Hi Sarah,
For a small pond with other fish, having a few otocinclus catfish may work well for you. They’re small enough that your pond size should be just fine for them, and they get along well with other fish. Their small size and gentle nature also means that they won’t harm your plants as they eat the algae off of them. They prefer to live with some of their own kind, so try to get three or more if possible, and if your pond’s size allows for it. They should also do well in the warm Virginia climate!
I have a 5000 gal Koi pond that is 12 x 8 foot and about 4 feet at the deepest. It is stocked with koi and goldfish. I have a lot of water Iris plants and a few Lilly’s. I use an algaecide and UV light. I have to drain the pond and pressure wash the rocks and liner every year or the algae takes over. The draining stresses the fish. Is there anything more I can do to control the algae?
I forgot to mention I live near Lake Erie 40 miles East of Cleveland
Hi Chris!
How many goldfish, guppies and black mollies do you recommend for a 50 gallon pond? Also, will all three types of fish live happily together?
Many thanks,
Jules
Hi Jules,
All three fish types should get along fine! However, you’ll want to make sure to get a goldfish variety that won’t grow much larger than the guppies or mollies, else the goldfish may eat the smaller fish. Fancy goldfish tend to stay smaller, while common goldfish can grow fairly large. The general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water, but to be on the safe side, consider one inch of fish per two or three gallons to help reduce the risk of overcrowding and water quality degradation.
I have a small 500 gallon (4.5 ft by 6.5 ft – 3 ft deep) garden pond that has a bit of algae I can’t get rid of. I have a filter with UV light and a variety of floating plants that seem to help but I thought some fish could also help. What would you recommend?
Hi Sara,
For that size pond, I think otocinclus catfish would work well for you. They only grow to a couple of inches in length, so 500 gallons would work fine for a having several of them, and they quite readily eat algae. Other small fish that may work include mollies, guppies, and goldfish – these don’t primarily eat algae though, so they won’t make as much of a dent as the otocinclus will.
I have a 10×15 pond about 5 1/2 deep at the most, I’m in northern Wyoming and I get pretty harsh winters. I’ve been getting yearly blooms where you can’t see anything other than green. I’ve tried plecos but I never get them out before the our random first freeze, even with the heater they still don’t fare to well. What would be the best course of action, algae eater wise.
Hello. My husband and I live in Red Deer County, Alberta. We see winter weather as cold as -42 C at times. We have a spring fed, registered trout (sterile) pond that’s about 25’ deep at the lowest point and is approximately 100’ X 80’’ ; it’s aerated all year. We eat the trout, currently we have 10 adult, and put in 50, 6”- 8” fingerlings the first week of June. Is the grass carp (sterile verity), safe to put in with our trout? is this the type you would recommend for us and about how many?
Thank you in advance for the information.
We are in Colorado Springs and have a pond that is about an acre in surface area and is about 14 feet at max. We’re trying to find a good fish to start with – many have suggested fathead minnows – but are hoping one that will also help control our algae (some have suggested nile tilapia, bluegill, or grass carp). Wondering if you have any suggestions for us. Thanks!
I live in Birmingham UK I have a small plastic pond with pump UV filter koi Karp and goldfish. I have noticed some of the plastic waterfall has turned green and also the sides of the pond.
It might be because we only have 4 floating plants but what fish can I put in there to get the sides of the pool cleaner
I live in the southwest (UK) and have a small pond that’s about 650 w X 700 h X 2400 long. I have 8no common goldfish of various sizes and about 5no fairly sizeable snails that have appeared (I’m guessing from pond weed that came with the goldfish). I have a few rocks for the fish to hide under and a pond filter/pump with inbuilt uv light that’s good enough for the volume of water.
My question is; what would be recommended to add in terms of a couple fish that will eat algae? I don’t have anymore than green surface algae but I don’t want it to get out of control in anyway and would like the pond looking cleaner, especially on the bottom. I’m also wondering if you could suggest some water purification plants as the pond weed I have isn’t enough to do the job alone. Many thanks
Pond has been in operation about 1 year.