How to Stock a Dirty Pond for Fish

Some fish thrive in dirty pond water.

A dirty pond is not a very good environment for fish. The cleanliness of a pond does not only dictate the happiness of the fish in that pond, but it also affects their health. Most fish can get sick or infected because of a pond that is filled with algae or other similar products. However, there is a way to fix a dirty pond and have a good environment for fish. All you have to do is stock the pond with fish that feed off the algae rather than those that will be adversely affected by it.

Instructions

1. Move all other fish out of the pond. Though algae eaters are not usually harmful to other fish, other fish might be harmful to algae eaters. There is never a certain way to tell if a fish is going to harm or consume any algae eaters that you may put in a pond, so the best thing to do is simply remove the other fish from the pond, replacing them in a safer environment if possible for the duration of the time the algae eaters are in the pond.

2. Fill the pond with tadpoles. Tadpoles are cheap and easy to regulate in a pond. What is more is that the sole source of their nutrition comes from algae. Several dozen tadpoles can clear a small pond of algae in only a few weeks. The only issue with using tadpoles is that they eventually grow into frogs. If you do not have a problem with frogs, tadpoles are the way to go.

3. Purchase and use two or three Plecostomus. Plecostomus are tropical fish that are usually found in the Rain Forest but get all of their energy and nutrients from algae. Though Plecostomus are more expensive and a little more violent, they are more effective than algae. The issue with Plecostomus is that, since they are tropical, they cannot stand colder weather. You should only use Plecostomus in the warmer months, otherwise they will die easily.

4. Replace the original fish to the pond. Put the fish in a large plastic bag filled with the water from the pool you stored them in, and put the bags into the pond. This will help them reintegrate with the temperature. After about two to three hours, they will be ready to be released back into the pond. Though Plecostomus might be a little more violent to smaller fish, they prefer algae, so they will largely keep to themselves. Tadpoles will not cause any types of fish any trouble. Some fish might try to eat the tadpoles, but this should not cause a problem with the habitat overall.

References

• Best Fish: Battling Pond Scum
• Fishlore: Plecostomus, Pleco