Algae Eaters

Algae-eater is a collective name for several species of fish. Fish often sold or named under the name algae-eater are: the Grass Carp (herbivore), the Sneep (herbivore) and the Goby (omnivore). Because the Grass Carp and the Sneep grow too large for most ponds, only the Goby is described here.

The Gobel (Gobio Gobio) is sometimes sold as an algae-eater when it actually eats almost no algae. Often this seems so but in reality they are among the algae or on the bottom looking for food. Mainly they eat aquatic insects, worms and snails that fit into the mouth of a Goblet. In the pond, Gobies can also be supplemented with sinking food.

Gobies do not grow too large (8 to 15 cm) and often have a brown body with a black-spotted pattern. In their natural habitat, they often live close to the bottom where they forage among rocks, wood and leaves. It is also well camouflaged for that. The Goby becomes about 5 years old and reproduces easily. Because of this, it is important to keep the population in check so there are not too many fish in your pond.

Tips and advice

Want more information on pond tips? Then follow us on Facebook or read our blogs with lots of great advice. Here are some more tips for the Goby. For example, read our blog on feeding the fish,“What fish food do I give my fish.”

The pond should be at least 70 cm deep locally for a Goby so that the animals can hibernate. For mating, the pond should be locally shallow (± 20 cm). The fish likes clean water with a little current in it, so a powerful filter is important. Gobies are shoal fish and should therefore also be kept together with several animals.

General data of the Trout