Green Algae In Pond

While similar in appearance algae and blue green algae are completely different organisms.

Green algae in pond.

Blanketweed is the name for the long green filamentous algae which attaches to the sides of the pond and can eventually spread across the water like thick green spiderwebs. Microcystis aphanizomenon anabaena osicllatoria and nostoc are common strands. Treatments include aeration pumping surface scum. Green alga spirogyra is a filamentous alga found near the edges of lakes ponds and ditches.

Pond algae and blanket weed. Both types can be problematic for fish as really green water in strong sunlight can cause oxygen bubbles or embolisms to form on the fish s fins and severe. Though it may appear ugly string algae is not a major danger to your fish s health but it can be to the overall appearance water clarity of your pond. Algae can be a major problem in ponds causing discoloured water green scum at the pond edges or dense mats of green growth under the surface.

A pond can be a beautiful and ornamental addition to a garden or home but it might lose some of its charm if the water is green and murky with algae. Ironically blue green algae isn t even technically algae at all. Despite it s common name blue green algae is not in fact an algae but rather a bacteria called cyanobacteria. Green algae is a major problem for new ponds ponds with heavy amounts of waste or ponds with poor filtration systems.

These algae are present in most healthy pond and lake ecosystems as they are at the base of the food web. Their chloroplasts contain both chlorophyll a and b accounting for their typical bright green coloration though they may also be various hues of yellow. The term actually refers to cyanobacteria being that cyan refers to a blue green color and cyanobacteria very much resembles common algae the name blue green algae is the commonly used term. Unlike other forms of algae string algae it is much easier to remove green algae and control its growth.

Algae it s the number one complaint of pond keepers. The slime algae growing in your backyard pond is either green algae or blue green algae. The algae consume sunlight carbon dioxide and nutrients to grow and directly compete with pond plants for nutrients. Green algae belonging to the family chlorophyta is the most diverse group of algae encompassing over 7 000 species.

If conditions are favourable algae will spread quickly and can harm aquatic life. This unsightly green mess tends to adhere directly to rocks and is not to be confused with the good algae which forms on the side of the pond and is soft velvety and jelly like. In addition to other non life threatening challenges algae obscure colorful fish and deplete valuable oxygen.