What is this stuff "growing" on my pond walls and everything else?

[NMPondguy]

The entire surface inside my pond is covered with this spongy, rubbery, stuff. I noticed it about two years ago. I'm finally getting around to asking if anyone else has this in their pond? Is it algae, some form of water lichen, or something else?

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! How long has this pond been up and running, and where do you live?

 

[j.w]

@NMPondguy
I'm gonna guess you live in New Mexico? Looks like freshwater lichen but I'm not sure. Might be mixed w/algae too. They like to pal up together.

 

[NMPondguy]

Hello and welcome! How long has this pond been up and running, and where do you live?

Hi, and Thanks!

This pond is 19 years old, but this growth is relatively new: I think I first noticed it in 2020.

 

[NMPondguy]

View attachment 151111@NMPondguy
I'm gonna guess you live in New Mexico? Looks like freshwater lichen but I'm not sure. Might be mixed w/algae too. They like to pal up together.

Good guess! I live in Albuquerque, NM.

I wasn't sure that "water lichen" actually existed. I must have heard the term somewhere. Now that you confirm that it is a thing, I think I'll go search Google..........


Edited to say that I had to give up the search to find a photo of a freshwater lichen matching my "sample": There are lots of photos, but images like that give me the heebie geebies! I think I'm good.

Many Thanks,
Phil

 

[Relic]

There are places in Texas where that would be harvested, rolled in flour, and deep-fried...at least once.

 

[rubyduby]

View attachment 151111@NMPondguy
I'm gonna guess you live in New Mexico? Looks like freshwater lichen but I'm not sure. Might be mixed w/algae too. They like to pal up together.

How did you guess that j.w. ??? What were the clues?