Algae Eaters for Patio Pond

[The Masked Shadow]

Hello, my patio pond recently bloomed with algae, and I was wondering what algae eaters to get. The pond is not heated, and can get as low as 49. It is stocked with 5 Rosy Barbs, and potentially 2 Cory Catfish. The Pond’s plants are Anacharis, and Variegated Water Lily. I want a fish that would eat the weird stringy algae in my pond. The pond holds 42 gallons, but with the plants and the pot, probably 35. I do weekly water changes on it. I would also like (if possible) for it to be native to the US, but not influence my water changing schedule to biweekly. Any thoughts?

 

[Deadeye]

I would say some type of invert would be best. Snails, shrimps, scuds. I can’t think of a good algae eating coldwater fish, but then again I don’t know many coldwater fish at all.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Fat Homer , are there any oddball cold water fish that eat algae? Also, I will look into shrimp or scuds.

 

[FLA]

I may waste a lot of time on this but FWGNA is working to classify the NA native FW snails. There are some cool ones in the mid Atlantic region that might work. I would just grab snails out of your local body of water. Nonnative I would roll the dice with a CAE not the best algae eater if it has lots of other foods available though.

Species Gallery: Freshwater Gastropods of Mid-Atlantic States (fwgna.org)

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Ok. I have these Gastropods at my local creek. I’ll pick some outta there.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Well, my local ‘creek’ is actually a run off. I have pictured in a thread here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...aquatic-snail-i-found-at-the-creek-if.733614/

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

flagfish are a no brainer.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Oh! I know those! The place we got the Rosy Barbs at has those. Maybe I could get a group of 3-4.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Ok, so she gets a shipment of American Flagfish tomorrow. Apparently, she gets shipments every 2 months, so I am lucky. I think I'll grab 4. What do you think? Will the Rosy Barbs mind them?

 

[Deadeye]

I’d get 6 cause strength in numbers. Barbs shouldn’t mind too much.