15 replies to this topic

[Kerry]

I found hundreds of these little things darting around in my pond. They're about 0.5cm (0.20 in) from head to tail. Anybody have any idea what they are?

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[koikeepr]

dragon fly larvae?

[DrDave]

I wonder if the larger Koi would eat them?

[stroppy]

could they be mosquito larvae ?

[oldmarine]

They definately look like mosquito larvae. If you don't have any gold fish, koi or some other small fish in your pond to eat the larvae, you need to get something in your pond that will eat them. Regardless of where you are, the mosquito larvae could help spread a desease or illness. Check in with your local authories and find out what you can do to combat mosquito larvae in your pond. Here in the U.S. some states will provide mosquito fish to help combat the problem of mosquitos for free.

Happy ponding,

[DrDave]

Mosquito fish means no koi fry. They are aggressive and will eat the eggs as fas as they are laid. I put 12 in a pond and in 1 1/2 years had over 1800.

[oldmarine]

That being the case, the larvae need to be eaten. Smaller gold fish?

[Kerry]

I just googled images for dragonfly & mosquito larvae, and the bad news is they definitely look more like mosquito larvae....

I have an oscar and two algae eaters, plus two crabs that have made themselves at home in my pond. Will any of these eat the larvae? Otherwise, if I were to get some mosquito fish, would my oscar/crabs eat them, or vice versa?

Pity, it would have been nice to have some dragonflies growing up in my pond....

[oldmarine]

Depending on the size of your oscar, I'm quite sure the oscar will eat the mosquito larvae. If the oscar is so big and combersome, it may not be interested in chasing something so small to eat. Yes, your oscar will eat the mosquito fish, it will consider them as food unless they are quick and small enough to stay out of his gun sights.

[koikeepr]

I agree with oldmarine--an oscar will certainly eat a fish that small. Plus, oscars are bullies and hard to pair with any other fish outside it's species. Even if you got a goldfish that was big enough to compete, I'm afraid your gentle goldfish might get harrassed by tough guy Oscar.

They sell a product here in the States called Mosquito Dunks. Not sure what they might call them in your neck of the woods, but they pretty much float in water and are designed to kill mosquito eggs without harming other fish and plants.

Edited by koikeepr, 01 January 2010 - 03:41 AM.

[Mrshkoiluver]

It will only prevent the eggs from being hatched. Once hatched they will turn into mosquitos.

[poisonXvenom]

I'm pretty sure the fish will eat it =P

[koikeepr]

scoop them suckers out with a net now before they hatch!

[DrCase]

mosquitoes around hear only like stagnant water to lay eggs
A few more fish would solve your problem

[oldmarine]

If the mosquito larvae are a endless food for something, find way to capitalize on that and use that source for what it's worth. Like koiguy and DrCase suggested, either net them out and feed them to something else, or introduce some fish to your pond that will keep up with the source of mosquito larvae.

Happy ponding,
Rich