What kind of fish will clean my pond?

Category: pets fish and aquariums
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Fish that clean ponds by eating algae and other debris include the common pleco, the mosquitofish, the Siamese algae eater and the grass carp. Be careful with carp, koi and other bottom feeders. While they eat algae, they can also make your pond look dirty.



In this regard, will algae eaters survive in a pond?

1) Siamese Algae Eater Their enterprising nature and large appetites may make them poor neighbors of smaller fish like minnows, but boon companions of most common pond fish, like goldfish and koi. Siamese algae eaters can live up to ten years, but do not thrive in temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Similarly, will bleach kill algae in a pond? Plants cannot handle large amounts of bleach, though the chlorine level in tap water will not harm vegetation. Bleach also kills fish, insects and frogs that may be living in and around your pond. Bleach will kill unwanted bacteria and algae, but at the expense of everything else in the pond.

Similarly one may ask, are Plecos good for ponds?

A Bristlenose Pleco. Overall, plecos should not be left to overwinter outdoors if you don't live in a warm region. To help plecos survive winters, you could utilize a pond heater or bring them inside to an indoor pond or aquarium, provided it's large enough to house this hefty species.

How do I keep my pond clean naturally?

Use natural methods like barley straw, plants, and biofilters to keep your pond clean. Ultraviolet clarifiers, pond treatments, and gypsum are also useful for keeping the water clean and clear. Finally, empty the pond at least once a year by removing all plants, water, and fish before refilling it.

29 Related Question Answers Found

Is algae bad for fish in a pond?

The Good: Algae is not harmful to your pond or water feature. Algae actually performs a necessary and important role, just like any other plant in your pond -that is to absorb nitrates, which is what's left in the water after your pond's beneficial bacteria are finished degrading fish and plant waste.

How do I stop algae in my pond?

Floating plants, such as lilies and lotus, provide shade and reduce direct sunlight in the pond to control the growth of algae. Add submerged plants that release oxygen to the water, such as anacharis, hornwort and parrot's feather.

Can goldfish survive in a pond without a pump?

Fish. Pond fish depend on pumps both to filter their excrement from the water and to keep the level of dissolved oxygen in the pond water at a suitable level. Fish may live for a short time in a small pond without a pump, but will quickly run in to problems unless the water is frequently changed.

What eats duckweed in a pond?

Add natural predators of duckweed, such as Koi, grass carp, goldfish and domesticated waterfowl. Alone these biological controls cannot remove the problem, but if introduced to the pond before duckweed begins to grow, they can assist with duckweed control.

Can you put an algae eater in a koi pond?

Most sucker fish, or algae eaters, are tropical or semitropical fish from South America. They are not well-adapted to extremely cold water, which is the perfect environment for koi. A few varieties of sucker fish can survive mild winter weather changes, but none will withstand below-freezing temperatures.

Can I put a catfish in my koi pond?

Catfish, although scavengers, will not do anything to actually help keep your koi pond water garden clean; and may actually have a greater impact on lowering the overall water quality of your pond than your traditional koi and goldfish will!

Can I put plecostomus in my koi pond?

As Wayne stated, Plecos will not overwinter in the pond if the water temperature goes below 59 deg F (15 deg C). An alternative to the pleco that get along well with koi, will keep the pond clean of algae, and will survive all but the most severe winters is the Chinese High Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus).

Can an Oscar live in a pond?

Oscar require temperature from 74-80 deg F for healthy living. And oscars are messy, So you will need a good filtration system in your pond. Yes they live even if there is not much water movement, They love to dig up the plants though.

Can Plecos go in cold water?


Pleco's can live in cold water. That is much, much too cold for a pleco. They are tropical fish and need temps of around 74-80 degrees F. You need to remove him from the tank quickly and bring him to a warmer tank or the pet store.

Can you put Plecos with goldfish?

It depends on the individual fish. Also, if you don't maintain the tank then your fish probably won't live as long. Pleco can be known for sucking on goldfish since they have a thicker slime layer on them. Plecos can also live for a long time too, so there really isn't any issue in pairing it with a goldfish.

What Plecos can live together?

Apart from care requirements, many species don't get along with other species, and therefore are hazardous together. Some fish species even have major problems with themselves. Plecos (Hypostomus plecostomus), for one, should never live together, with one exception.

Do Plecos float when they die?

They are dead. If you touch them and they doesn't move, they are dead. If you change water and it still doesn't move, they are dead. Some fish like pleco types will remain on you aquarium floor when they dead.

Does baking soda kill algae in ponds?


Bicarbonate, the active ingredient in the baking soda, is an effective spot treatment to help to kill the algae and loosen it from the wall. Then, it's time to start scrubbing!

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for fish ponds?

Using hydrogen peroxide in a pond to remove algae blooms is a natural and safe method to control algae infestations and preserve other aquatic life in the pond. Chemical algaecides, on the other hand, destroy life indiscriminately and can harm or kill fish and other plants.

What naturally kills algae?

Barley straw will slowly kill algae naturally as it rots. If you have a pond or body of water you want to keep free of algae, try tossing a small bale of barley straw into it. You can also use creatures that naturally eat algae to kill it.