Strange plant growing on top of water??

[hmhkent]

We have been away for a month and have come back to find a strange plant creating a thick carpet of vegetation on top of the pond. We would love to know what it is? How it got there and how to get rid of it. Some pictures are attached.

Any ideas would be very welcome.

 

[Jhn]

Almost looks like a sphagnum moss of some sort. Plants can come in on birds, wild animals, unsure how to remove it (ie if a fish of some sort like a koi would eat it) other than manually.

 

[hmhkent]

Thank you.

 

[j.w]

@hmhkent

Kinda looks like Azolla to me in that last closer up photo. It can change colors I believe. Does it look like this close up:

Not sure how to get rid of it tho. I had it in my pond and it just went away slowly for some reason. I like it but something must have discouraged it from continuing to thrive.

 

[Mgessert]

Fish will eat azolla up! Mine’s all gone, and I wish I had kept some out to grow.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome. My first thought was Azolla, as well. Can you take a close-up pic of it? Do you have fish?

 

[Jhn]

Thought it might be azolla too, but the pic of the net scooping it up it looks like it is much thicker than azolla more similar to sphagnum moss…..maybe

 

[Mmathis]

Thought it might be azolla too, but the pic of the net scooping it up it looks like it is much thicker than azolla more similar to sphagnum moss…..maybe

Yeah, a little like broccoli heads, when you try to zoom in. A good, close-up pic might help.

 

[GBBUDD]

It is reindeer horned in shape and grows much thicker than azolla. But pretty much all surface carpets like calm still waters ie duckweed azolla all found in ponds and only found trapped in areas of lakes . scoop it all off thats a must as you don't want to kill it while its in the pond. INCREASE water flow in a big way, it looks like there isn't any.. If that doesn't work you may have to look at professionals and chemicals