Larger(>6") algae eaters?

Are there any good sized algae eating natives? I have a friend who has an algae problem. I'm not sure if there are golfish or koi in the pond, but I should be able to find out tomorrow. I don't think the plecos can survive the winter temps here in GA.

I can't think of any large slack-water algae eaters besides gizzard shad and paddlefish; they only eat planktonic algae, and I don't think they do well in small ponds. Fathead minnows will feed on algae, but not enough to eradicate it.

A better solution to algae problems is to shade them out with floating or floating-leaved plants such as water lilies.

I can't think of any large slack-water algae eaters besides gizzard shad and paddlefish; they only eat planktonic algae, and I don't think they do well in small ponds. Fathead minnows will feed on algae, but not enough to eradicate it.

A better solution to algae problems is to shade them out with floating or floating-leaved plants such as water lilies.

The sailfin mollie eats a lot of algae and I think so do the American flagfish. Size and winter temperature tolerances may still be an issue although I have seen sailfin mollies in streams of Texas that get into the lower 50's if not upper forties.

Would stonerollers absolutely not be able to survive in a pond? They seem like they would work well as long as they'd live.

Maybe if it were very well oxygenated, and didn't get too hot.

Sailfin mollies and flagfish in my 90 gallon can't stay ahead of the algae even though they eat so much they crap green pellets.
The flagfish did manage to mow down all my minichain swords [or some similar plant]. Clipped 'em off right at the substrate like sheep. They don't eat any other higher plants.
Truthfully, in all my years of fish keeping and working pet shops, I have yet to be convinced that ANY fish, snail or other critter can control algae once algae becomes a problem.
Newt's suggestion is most pratical.

Ok thanks. I'll let her know about that. I have some hyacinth and some kind of water lily I can give her.

Are there any good sized algae eating natives? I have a friend who has an algae problem. I'm not sure if there are golfish or koi in the pond, but I should be able to find out tomorrow. I don't think the plecos can survive the winter temps here in GA.

Not enough info to provide sound advice!


How large is pond? What type of algae? What fishes are actually present? What type of inputs (nutrients, feeds, sunlight, water movement from pumps / aerators)? This looks like job for IPM (integrated pest management).

Ok thanks. I'll let her know about that. I have some hyacinth and some kind of water lily I can give her.

Steve,
Please think twice before spreading water hyacinth around. Just because it is legal to do so in Georgia doesn't make it a smart thing to do. Water hyacinth is indeed a pest in Georgia and the Atlanta area.

Here's a map of the established distribution of water hyacinth (PURPLE):
 Eich_2004_web.jpeg   41.84KB   0 downloads
This map is from this website: http://salvinia.er.u...cted_range.html

The USDA plants database indicates a distribution that includes more northern areas of the country and Canada:
http://plants.usda.g...ile?symbol=EICR, although the populations in these areas are not nearly as wide spread.

Here are states that have laws against this plant. Please note that not all states actively restrict noxious weeds beyond those federally prohiobited (federal noxious weeds)
Alabama: Class C noxious weed. Moving this plant into or within the state is prohibited.
South Carolina: Illegal to import, purchase, sell, or posess within the state. Has cost South Carolina over $1.3 million for control since 1985
Texas: Illegal to sell, distribute, or transport into the state.
Florida: Class I Probibited Aquatic Plant. Illegal to possess, collect, transport, cultivate, or import.
California: Class C noxiouis weed
Arizona: prohibited, regulated, and restricted (prhibited to enter the state, areas within the state subject to quarrantine)


The U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment document OTA-F-565 "Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States" states several times that water hyacinth is one of the worst/most harmful weeds in the U.S. You can read this document here: http://govinfo.libra...A/1993/9325.PDF

Google this species and you can easily see that it has amazing negative impacts on our native aquatic habitats, ESPECIALLY in the southeast. Good stewardship of our environment would be to not spread it around and to try to eradicate it where found.

Steve,
Please think twice before spreading water hyacinth around. Just because it is legal to do so in Georgia doesn't make it a smart thing to do. Water hyacinth is indeed a pest in Georgia and the Atlanta area.

You worry too much. I'm all for it! After all, if _I_ use the stuff for algae mitigation, how bad can it be? So, it's pesky. Ne'mine dat.

Nativeplanter, yes, I understand that it is a very invasive plant. I was going to inform her of that before I gave it to her. Thanks for your concern.

Centrarchid, I'm working on getting that info. She's the mail-woman so she can't really talk for very long.

Edited by fishlvr, 17 April 2008 - 06:10 PM.

I simply don't understand how folks in this group can get so upset about carp, and how introducing it it is bad for native fish habitat, and not feel the same concern about water hyacinth. Yes it's pretty. So are goldfish. Still not a smart thing to do. Telling someone that it is invasive isn't good enough, in my opinion, if you are going to increase its occurrence and avenues for escape.

I repeat, one of the worst/most harmful weeds in the U.S., according to our own government. Has cost millions of taxpayer dollers to control. If you are all concerned about habitats for native fish, this is one plant to reduce the occurrence of.

I simply don't understand how folks in this group can get so upset about carp, and how introducing it it is bad for native fish habitat, and not feel the same concern about water hyacinth. Yes it's pretty. So are goldfish. Still not a smart thing to do. Telling someone that it is invasive isn't good enough, in my opinion, if you are going to increase its occurrence and avenues for escape.

I repeat, one of the worst/most harmful weeds in the U.S., according to our own government. Has cost millions of taxpayer dollers to control. If you are all concerned about habitats for native fish, this is one plant to reduce the occurrence of.

Ok. I won't give her hyacinth. Will lilies provide enough shade to reduce algae?

Yes. Consider duckweed as well; the goldfish will eat a lot of it, so add a big bunch to start, but it may grow fast enough to keep up with them. Some people don't like the look of duckweed, though.

Ok thanks. I'll see if I can get some. I actually found some in my creek once. It wasn't much, but it kind of surprised me to see it.

Lillies will absolutely provide a good amount of shade. I think you'll feel better in the long run (at least I will ) if you recommend a non-hyacinth plant, because once it is out of your hands, you have no control over where it goes.

There are a LOT of plants that will help. Which ones would be best really depend on the pond she has, like Centrachid said. Since you don't get a lot of time to chat with here, maybe type up some qestions she can answer at home. I can see it now - correspondence via mailbox!

Some questions I can think of right now are:

1) Is the pond real (made of dirt) or made of plastic/concrete/other? Is she using tap water (likely contains phosphorus in your area)

2) Does it have water running in or out (like a stream, even if only on rare occasion)?

3) What are its dimensions? Length, width, depth (exact shape isn't really important). This info can be more important than gallons, but if she knows the gallons, add it too.

4) If artificial, does it have a shelf built in around the edge?

5) How much shade does it get? Are there any trees nearby?

6) How much are the fish fed?

7) Can she garden around the pond (think shrubbery, etc), or is it's border limited by things like sidewalks? Would she like to garden around it if she can?

I bet others can come up with some good, first-round questions too. Maybe wait a couple days and make up a list for her. We can probably come up with something nice that will fit her needs and taste.

Lillies will absolutely provide a good amount of shade. I think you'll feel better in the long run (at least I will ) if you recommend a non-hyacinth plant, because once it is out of your hands, you have no control over where it goes...

Ok thanks. All I really know right now is:

It's a koi pond, so it likely has liner and probably not much substrate.

It's made up of two ponds, a larger one and a smaller one. She made it sound like there was a small "stream" connecting the two.

I'll see if I can get those questions typed out and give them to her. Thank you all for all of your help.

Is water lettuce considered invasive?

Edited by fishlvr, 19 April 2008 - 11:36 AM.

Unfortunately, water lettuce is invasive too, especially in the south.

I have a few thoughts going here. The first is the standby frogbit – and I will send you some to start a batch if you PM me your address. The second is that there are a LOT of ponds that have water lillies and marginal (i.e. wetland plants at the pond margins) that do very well in pots. The pots actually help give it a more manicured look since you can control where they are, and you can move them around

There are soooo many native aquatic and wetland plants that look good in garden ponds that it makes me giddy. Giddy, I say! Tell you what – if you think she would do it, I will draw up for her a native garden pond design; one with the added goal of algae control. The plants that go in the pond itself can even be purchased in stages as to make it more affordable. I don’t normally do this for free, but have somehow taken an interest in this pond, and it sounds like it isn't too big and wouldn't takup hours and hours of work.

Actually, if you can get her to take photos, I’d like to make a new thread in the native plants section – something like “native plant garden pond transformation”, with the added goal of algae control.

I simply don't understand how folks in this group can get so upset about carp, and how introducing it it is bad for native fish habitat, and not feel the same concern about water hyacinth. Yes it's pretty. So are goldfish. Still not a smart thing to do. Telling someone that it is invasive isn't good enough, in my opinion, if you are going to increase its occurrence and avenues for escape.

Well, we aren't really talking about "introducing" hyacinth, are we? Unless this is something other than an ornamental pond.

I will say this: when you harvest the stuff, BURN it. It can live a LONG time after you throw it into the compost heap. Like a month, if it's kept in the shade.

Well, we aren't really talking about "introducing" hyacinth, are we? Unless this is something other than an ornamental pond.

I will say this: when you harvest the stuff, BURN it. It can live a LONG time after you throw it into the compost heap. Like a month, if it's kept in the shade.

That's what I do.
I wonder if bearded dragons like water hyacinth?