Algae are a common sight in ponds and lakes. But not all algae are created equal. Some types of algae can cause major issues in your pond, while others are harmless or even beneficial. Knowing how to identify the different types of algae is key for effective pond management.
In this complete visual guide, we will cover the most common types of pond algae, with pictures to help you easily recognize each one. We’ll also discuss whether the algae is good or bad for your pond.
What Exactly is Algae?
Algae is a broad term used to describe aquatic organisms that contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis but do not have true stems, roots, leaves, or vascular tissue like plants. Algae come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from microscopic single-celled plankton to giant seaweeds over 100 feet long.
It is known that there are more than 30,000 species of algae that live in freshwater and saltwater. In lakes and ponds with fresh water, the most common types of algae are
- Green algae (Chlorophyta)
- Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)
- Diatoms (Bacillariophyta)
- Golden algae (Chrysophyta)
- Red algae (Rhodophyta)
- Brown algae (Phaeophyta)
Green Water Algae
Green water algae require sunlight and nutrients to proliferate. In new ponds with an unbalanced ecosystem, these algae can quickly take over due to a lack of competition. But green water algae are also a natural part of healthy ponds. In moderation, these algae provide food for zooplankton and young fish. They also produce oxygen through photosynthesis. Too much green algae can lead to algal blooms and depleted oxygen, so it’s important to control their growth.
Filamentous Algae
Common filamentous algae species include Spirogyra (water silk), Pithophora (horsehair algae), and Cladophora (cotton algae). These stringy blooms can clog pumps and filters, block sunlight, and cause oxygen depletion. But filamentous algae also provide food and habitat for some fish, insects, and waterfowl when controlled.
Blue-Green Algae
Cyanobacteria blooms look like mats that float on the surface of the water and smell bad. These harmful algal blooms indicate poor water quality. Blue-green algae needs to be stopped right away by using water treatment tools like UV clarifiers.
Chara
In small amounts, chara algae can benefit pond ecology. But overgrowths will negatively impact water quality. Some pond owners dislike the foul garlic smell. Overall, chara is not considered a major nuisance algae in ponds.
Nitella
Moderate growths of nitella do not cause pond issues. This algae is often mistaken for beneficial native pondweeds. Heavy nitella growth could potentially impact oxygen and light levels. But in general, nitella is considered benign.
Diatoms
Through a process called photosynthesis, these algae make most of the oxygen in the world. Diatoms also provide nourishment for zooplankton and filter-feeding fish. Their presence indicates good water quality. Diatoms should not be considered a nuisance algae.
Identifying and Controlling Pond Algae
With so many different types of algae, identification is crucial for proper pond management. Green water algae and diatoms are normal in balanced ponds. Filamentous algae can be controlled through manual removal and UV clarifiers.
Potentially toxic blue-green algae requires immediate action. Also, the growth of chara and nitella should be watched and trimmed as needed. You can keep your pond’s ecosystem healthy if you know about the most common types of algae.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Good: will treat the issue with regular applications and regular treatments
- Better: takes care of algae and weed issues with just a few treatments
- Best: These products help get rid of large groups of invasive weeds, and regular care for your pond can keep algae and weeds under control.
Cutrine Plus
SeClear
Tribune
Flumiguard, Cutrine Plus
Cutrine Plus+Tribune
Cutrine Plus, Tribune
Cutrine Plus+Tribune
Human Health Concerns:
Habitat:
Habitat:
Sonar Genesis
Sonar, Renovate MAX G
Renovate MAX G, AquaNeat
Tribune
Flumiguard
AquaNeat
Flumiguard
AquaNeat
Tribune
Renovate MAX G, Glyphsate
Tribune
Flumiguard
AquaNeat
Flumiguard, Tribune
Tribune
Sonar Genesis, Flumiguard
Tribune
Sonar
AquaNeat
Flumiguard, Renovate MAX G
Tribune
Tribune
Flumiguard, Sonar Genesis
Flumiguard, Sonar Genesis
Flumiguard
Tribune, Sonar Genesis
Flumiguard, Renovate MAX G
Tribune+Cutrine Plus, AquaNeat
Tribune
Sonar
Renovate MAX G
Algae Corner: How to Identify Different Algae Types
FAQ
How do I tell what kind of algae is in my pond?
Planktonic AlgaeGreen Algae: When your pond water resembles pea-soup, presenting a cloudy green color ranging from bright to olive, chances are you are dealing with standard green algae. Brown and Red Algae: Ruddy pond water can often be attributed to Euglena algae blooms, which are common in nutrient-saturated ponds.
What are the 7 major types of algae?
The different divisions include:Euglenophyta (Euglenoids)Chrysophyta (Golden-brown algae and Diatoms)Pyrrophyta (Fire algae)Chlorophyta (Green algae)Rhodophyta (Red algae)Paeophyta (Brown algae)Xanthophyta (Yellow-green algae).
Should I remove green algae from my pond?
Algae are not only unsightly but also potentially harmful. They are an important part of a healthy, well-balanced pond ecosystem because they feed species lower on the food chain. To deal with algae effectively is not to eradicate it, but to prevent, or control, its excessive growth.
What are the different types of pond algae?
A guide to the most common types of pond algae including filamentous algae, blue-green algae, planktonic algae, and more with pictures for easy pond algae identification.
How do I identify pond algae?
We also include pictures for easy pond algae identification. The algae you are most likely to see is the free-swimming type. There are different kinds of algae, but the one that turns your pond water green is the most common. Known as planktonic algae, each individual alga is a single-celled organism.
Can algae grow in a pond?
Most of the algae that can grow in a pond are euglena, blue-green, string, green water, and Chara. While most people assume that algae is bad for ponds—and an overgrowth can be harmful—it can be beneficial in the right amount, oxygenating water, feeding animals, and much more.
What kind of algae eats ponds?
Filamentous green algae near the surface of the water by Lamiot (CC BY-SA 4.0) Another one of the types of pond algae that can be a real bother to the modern pond owner is filamentous algae. This is also known as string algae, and when you see it the reason for its name becomes obvious.
What types of algae are found in freshwater lakes and ponds?
In order to help you identify the type of algae you may have, we put together a list of the 5 most common types of algae you find in freshwater lakes and ponds. Blue green algae, also know as Cyanobacteria, is a phylum of bacteria that obtains its energy through photosynthetic prokaryotes that are able to produce oxygen.
What is a pond algae?
In terms of appearance this form of pond algae is very recognizable. They are very small bodies, and contain chloroplasts which gives them their distinctive bright green color. They can provide a bountiful source of food and energy for smaller omnivorous fish who are near the bottom of the food chain.