Algae eating animals?

Question

I have a koi pond with gold fish. The Algae is really bad. I heard there are snails and other animals that eat algae. Which snails do that and what other animals? I don't want to use chemicals

I've gone to the pet store. The pet recommended chemicals.

I do feed them on a daily basis.
I don't think they're eating the algae because a few days prior I found 2 dead fish. Both fish had had their tails bitten off.

Answer 1

There are snails that eat a small amount of algae but, not enough to help you with your koi pond problem. A natural product you can buy is barley pellets.....no chemicals involved.
Another great product is called Crystal Clear that is all natural available at www.aquaticeco.com. Sorry there are no animals that can do the job. It does sound like you are having a problem with the amount of shade, try planting more trees around perimeter & add water lillies. The lillies are very important in algae reduction. Your pond should have about 50% shade coverage from the lillies for best results. We have a 55,000 galloon koi pond that is crystal clear & have never used chemicals. Good luck!!

Answer 2

As long as there's algae, the koi will survive. Yes, don't use chemicals. That will kill the algae and the koi will have nothing to feed on.

Answer 3

i think all fresh water snails eat algae. there are fish you can get at pet stores, called algae eaters. if its warm enough where you live for them to live outside, they are really good, eat a lot of algae. /ONDX.... koi are goldfish

Answer 4

here is a great article that should help
http://www.ag.state.ut.us/animind/aq_weed_control.pdf

and here is an answer to a previous question
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070503172200AAbxGca


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

Why are you wasting your time on here? Go to a pet store and ask.

Answer 6

why would u have goldfishes in a "koi"pond...u dont see other people put goat milk inside a container of cow milk...