Bloodworm eating pond fish?

Question

I have a load off bloodworms in my pond and I want to get rid of them before they turn into Midges
Was thinking of getting some siamese fighter fish but I dont know if they would survive the winter
Anyone know any cheaper alternates that will live happyly in my pond all year that will inssure the dicimation of the midge population in my garden
Also anyone know the kind of tree that midges hate and were I could purchase one?
(cant just put chemicals into the pond there is tadpoles)

Answer 1

It really depends on how cold it gets in your area. For most areas I would suggest using a local minnow, chub or darter to clear the worms. The bottom dwelling and feeding fish like darters and sculpin will clear the problem the most quickly. 3-4 fish would handle even a moderate infestation in a smaller garden pond. Given time they would clear the problem completely. If you live in an area where freezing is not an issue, then White Clouds might be a fair choice, but even then in a year you would be wondering how to get all the excess white clouds out of your pond.

Check in your area for a local aquarium club. Some members may collect and keep local species. If not, then a short afternoon at a local creek with a large aquarium net should give you the fish you need. I would recommend holding them in a quaratine container before adding them to your pond to prevent the introduction of disease.

I really don't know about the tree part of the question. No doubt there are plenty, but again the one best for you would depend climate in your area. Try a local nursery for suggestions.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

What to use will depend on the size of your pond, seasonal temperature, and what fish (if any) you already have.

You've got some good fish choices already - almost all native fish will eat them, but if you've got fish already, you want to chose something that won't be eaten as well! Goldfish will do for a larger pond, so would sunfish and larger minnows (Creek chubs). For a smaller pond, some rosy red feeders (these are a color variety of fathead minnows, so they can take cold temperatures in the north if your pond doesn't freeze completely and there's nothing to eat them. I have mixed opinions on mosquitofish - they're small and temperature tolerant, but will eat as much vegetation as insects, so they aren't the perfect control. I used to keep these in a 30 gallon planted tub on my back porch and I still had bloodworms and mosquito larvae hatching out from it.

Speaking of which, leemucko brings up a good point - the larvae need hiding places and food, and will attach to dead vegetation - mine are particularly fond of sweet flag. If this is a smaller pond, keeping any leaves or other dead plant materials out of the pond will offer them less protection, less food, and there will be less of a nutrient load as they decay to fertilize algae blooms. If what you have is a garden pond, it should be cleaned with partial water changes, just like an aquarium.

Answer 3

Goldfish and/or koi would be you're best bet(only get koi if you have a large pond) There's readily available and cheap, and they eat bloodworms. The only thing is, they might also eat the tadpoles.

A second choice would be guppies or the mosquito fish(named because people in the old days released these fish espeicially to rid their ponds of mosquito larvae/bloodworms) They won't eat the tadpoles(except maybe the tiny ones) but they breed like crazy(which can be both a good or bad thing, depending on you're perspective) and they won't survive a cold, cold winter. I live in a warm area and I keep them year-round with any heaters and they do fine, but if you're talking like a white, snowy christmas, then they will def. die.

Goldfish is probly ur best bet.

cheers

Answer 4

I had the same problem in my pond which I no longer have. The only way you are going to get rid of them is to put your fish into a holding tank with a filter.

Drain your pond and disgard any plants etc and then thoroughly clean your pond after you have drained it.

Use are cognised product from your fish supplier to do this. Leave your pond for al least 2 months before refilling and another month before reintroducing the fish into the pond.

I ignored this advice given to me and tried my own methods, enventually however, I had to resort to the measures mentioned.

I eventually had my pond up and running again with crystal clear water and the fish appear to be happy. But the worms returned with avengence and I finally decided to find a new home for my fish.

I discovered after much research that the blood worms were being introduced into the pond by birds yes birds.

I have telegraph wire that stretches across the pond and the birds used to sit on this and their droppings would get into the pond and contaminate it with the worms that were in these droppings.

Heart breaking, though my fish are now rehoused and looked after well, I could not stand having to take the effected fish out of the pond and try and pull the worms out from under the skin. Oh horrible and poor fish.

All the best and let me know how you get on please.

EDIT...Are you sure they are just Blood worms sound like it;s not to me.

Eculyptus trees for midges especially the Scottish variety

I see you have already dismissed my advice I hope you'll not be sorry.

Answer 5

no a Siamese fighting fish will not survive in your pond and you can only have one male to a tank. pond fish will eat the bloodworm and midges.

Answer 6

There is no need to spend your money on the smaller fish. Your koi especially if they are a little larger, will eat them before they have a chance to eat the worms. I've tried that one.

Letting your koi eat what is there by not feeding them as much will help. Cleaning the pond from debris will also help. Netting works but doesn't guarantee all the worms will be caught. A combination of less feed, netting and a good cleaning are your best bet.

Answer 7

Betta cousin the pardise gourami might be a better choice, but they get really mean when they grow up. See if you can find "mosquito fish". They can take could water, but not freezing. Minnows, and guppy will also work. I they may become goldfish food, but these guys are often very cheap. Heck where I live you can get the mosquito agency to deliver fish for this.

Answer 8

Which fish eat bloodworm?

Answer 9

Hi there is no way you can put siamese fighter fish in your pond there tropical fish.You can buy cold water fish etc Goldfish if you type pond fish in yahoo search you will see loads of beautifull fish.Good Luck

Answer 10

My goldfish adore bloodworms. Definately gold fish will get rid of them in a hurry!