Which fish clean ponds

How do I choose the right algae eater for my pond? Take an inventory of these factors in your pond to select the right algae eater from our list: Water temperature: Start by thinking about your average year-round temperature. If you live in a warmer region with temperatures above 70 F, some of our recommended algae eaters might not survive the negative effects of high temperatures on ponds.

Will your small pond be able to accommodate larger fish as they grow bigger? Not sure pond size? Read these tips on how to measure the size your pond. Do your current fish or critters mesh well with your chosen algae eater? Championship koi owners should think twice about adding any fish that may show aggression to a prized fish! Make sure you pick an algae eater that matches your existing conditions or your new fish may struggle. What algae is in your pond : Consider what type of algae you are experiencing, how much there is to remove, and where that algae is most present, to help inform the best type of fish that will feast on algae in your pond.

What are the best algae eating pond fish? Koi aka Nishikigoi Cyprinus carpio. Pond Size Over 1, Gallons. Fish Size 12 to 15 inches. Life Expectancy 25 — 35 years. How to get your koi to eat more algae If you want to get your koi to help more, try developing a hand-feeding relationship with your koi , and then try hand-feeding them algae from your pond.

Pond Size A pond with at least 1, gallons is recommended. Temperament Generally docile but may show signs of aggression during mating season. Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus.

Fish Size 15 to 24 inches. Life Expectancy years. Their strong sense of smell makes them very good at eating various foods, including algae! But, are Catfish aggressive? Pond Description A pond with at least 1, gallons is recommended. Water Conditions Channel Catfish prefer water temperatures between Temperament Channel Catfish can be aggressive toward other fish and eat a variety of both plant and animal matter. Fish Size Up to 39 inches. Life Expectancy 25 years.

Is it a friendly shark? What fish fits this description? The one just below. Pond Description Use a pond or water garden with gallons or more of well-filtered, moving, and well-oxygenated water.

Flying Fox Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus. Pond Size Minimum 30 gallons. Fish Size Up to 6 inches. Life Expectancy 8 to 10 years. Will Flying Fox eat my water plants? Pond Description Minimum 20 gallons. Temperament Typically docile, may become territorial at times.

Pond Loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Pond Size Minimum 20 gallons. Fish Size Up to 12 inches. Where is my Pond Loach hiding? Pond Description At least 55 gallons and can live in poor quality pond water.

Temperament Typically docile and hiding but can be active yet peaceful. Large pond loach swimming around in outdoor UK pond. Japanese Trapdoor Snail Viviparus malleatus. Pond Size Any sized ponds. Typically, Mozambique Tilapia will start to consume filamentous algae post-stocking, once the acclimation period is over.

This period can be as few as a couple of hours and at most a few days. Most pond owners typically start to see a noticeable reduction in the growth of filamentous algae within one month of stocking. Once water temperatures increase to a reproductive ideal, spawning takes place. The fish that were stocked increase in number, and therefore, increase the quantity of hungry mouths that eat the algae. Chemical controls only kill algae when the concentration of active ingredient is sufficient enough.

Biological controls, such as Mozambique tilapia a pond cleaning fish pretty much continuously reduce the amount of filamentous algae—and continue to do so even after reproduction. They are an efficient solution for biological control of filamentous algae. Largemouth Bass are perhaps the most common pond species, aside from Channel Catfish and Bluegill. Keeping them fed and in good condition requires abundant forage resources. Stocking Mozambique Tilapia as biological control of filamentous algae has the added benefit of providing piscivorous fish eating species, like Bass, with an abundant forage supply.

Smaller Tilapia that hatch within the pond are an easy meal for most Bass. Reproduction by Tilapia occurs often, and the results are small juvenile Tilapia that make easy targets for a hungry Bass. Therefore, stocking Tilapia to consume filamentous algae also benefits a pre-existing Bass population by providing high protein prey items once spawning commences.

If you have ever ordered Tilapia at a restaurant, the chances are good that the fish you ate was purchased from a wholesale fishmonger who got their fish from a hatchery that produced fish by cramming hundreds of them in a tank and pumping them full of antibiotics to keep fungal infections at bay—Yum! However, Mozambique Tilapia that are stocked to control filamentous algae in ponds and lakes revert to a wild state and take on the physical characteristics of a wild population.

These fish taste a whole lot better than store-bought, pre-packaged, already frozen Tilapia fillets that are used at restaurants and can be purchased from local grocery stores. Farm to table tastes best. The good news about Tilapia is that the population increases post-stocking due to reproduction.

These popular aquarium pets are hardy and work outdoors in ponds as well. Mollies do best with water temperatures between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with pH levels of 7.

This unique fish is known by its long, thin body and pointy nose. They typically grow to four inches in length and are compatible with other peaceful fish species. They should be kept in pairs. They do need fairly stable water chemistry, so though they love gobbling down algae, they need to be well-cared for to thrive.

Plus, lots of places to hide and some supplemental foods will help them stay strong and happy. Twig catfish need water temperatures between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and pH levels between 6. Another fish so well-known for its penchant for algae is the Chinese Algae Eater. They love to eat and that enables them to grow up to 10 inches. They can grow to become a bit aggressive as they grow in size, so they should be kept with other species that can handle their own. These fish need water temperatures between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and pH levels between 6.

An ill fish, for example, could infect the whole population, or drastic water changes could make a new fish ill or even end its life. Depending on the algae-eating species, the size of your pond, your use of filters, and the types of plants and other critters you have in the pond, algae eaters may be enough to significantly knock down the algae growth in your pond. We are reader supported. External links may earn us a commission.

Table of Contents. Related Posts. The Best Generator. How to Prepare and Trim Pork Ribs.