what fish will eat algae in an outdoor pond?

Question

I'm trying to get rid of algae in my small outdoor pond.

Answer 1

They may or may not - it depends on the fish and on the type of algae you have. Many of the better known algae-eating fish won't survive outside unless the pond stays at tropical temperatures year-round. Goldfish, koi, mosquitofish, and some minnows will eat some types of algae, but not all.

If the algae problem is recent, and you live in a temperate climate (one where the outdoor temperature changes seasonally), there's a phenomena called "overturn" that happens this time of year. The ice on top melts and becomes denser, flowing downward while warmer bottom layers flow upward, bringing with it nutrients from any decaying matter from the bottom of the pond - this acts like a fertilizer for your algae.

To control your algae long-term, you need to remove the excess nutrients. You can do this the same way you do in an aquarium - use partial water changes of about 1/4 of your pond volume at a time. Also, remove any dead leaves or plant parts from the bottom of the pond whenever you find them.

The algae also needs light to grow. You can "shade" the algae by using plants in the pond that float or have floating leaves.

Barley straw is a method to prevent new algae from growing, but it unfortunately doesn't affect what's growing already. This you would have to remove yourself.

Answer 2

Fish That Eat Algae

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what fish will eat algae in an outdoor pond?
I'm trying to get rid of algae in my small outdoor pond.

Answer 4

Plecos are your best bet, buy them small, they'll grow really fast if you have an algae problem, i replace them with smaller ones when they get too big, snails ar not a good answer for an outdoor pond, for they will move into your garden and multiply rapidly, they are good for tanks though. Loaches are too small and not fast enough. Catfish is another option but algae is not it's primary food. you can also get an algae remover from your pet store and it'd relatively safe to your ather fishes..good luck.

Answer 5

Plecos, they may be small in the petshop but they can grow to really big sizes, especially with a really bad algea problem in a pond. They can get up to 2 feet. But only a few as plecos are very territorial especially as they get older. They are tropical fish though and will not do well in cold water, so if you are in an area that gets cold Plecos aren't a good idea.

Some shrimp or crawdads are good algea tamers and do ok in the cold. Some catfish are good too. Here's a site that sells some algea fighters specifically for outdoor ponds.

Answer 6

Buy some snails that eat algae
Sucker fish also eat algae, but im not sure if they can survive outside.

Answer 7

Take a look at this article first. I'm thinking the best answer might just be a UV sterilizer instead of fish :)

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/algae3.htm#eat

Answer 8

A large Plecostomus.

Answer 9

There's catfish, loaches, chinese algae eater, and plecos.

Answer 10

Snails would be your best bet.