I have a relatively new pond with little vegetation... only the usual algae which we control with barley straw and scumming it out. I have fish in the pond, but we also swim in it, and I noticed a long light green soft grass about 1/4 inch wide and up to 3 feet long growing about 5 1/2 feet deep. I've looked at a plant identification website as suggested in another posting, and was unable to find it. I don't want to put any chemicals in the pond, and grass carps aren't allowed that I know of in Northern California. Do you have any idea what this might be and if I should be concerned about it? What kind of fish might I put in that will control it. We have only blue gill and sun perch and mosquito fish and will add striped bass or two in the spring. The pond is 3/4 acre. Thank you for your help.

Catherine,

I had something similar in two of my ponds. I wasn't sure what they were at first. They turned out to be cattails. They can look like flimsy grass strands at first.

Whatever they are they can easily be cut off with a weedcutter that you throw out and pull in with a rope. If they are cattails they will immediately float to the surface. If they are cattails I would keep them under control as they easily get out of hand and not only reproduce by the seeds, but by runners under the bottom.

Catherine - Take some of the underwater pond plant to the local soil and water conservation office. They may be able to identify it for you. If not try to get a "good" close up digital picture of it and email the picture to me and I will try to identify your unknown "weed". Sometimes a picture of it in a mayonase jar full of water is helpful to see the leaf and stem structure.

What are sun perch? Do you have another common name for them?

With only bgill and sun perch in the pond you will soon be overpopulated with these two types of fish. When over populated, bgill will frequently nip at the swimmers which can be very annoying. Bgill are nipping at body parts (hairs, moles, nipples) that resemble their normal food items. Larger bgill when biting trender moles or nipples have been known to draw small amounts of blood. These bitting fish scare you more than hurt you. One or two hybrid stripped bass that you plan to stock will not control the offspring. In a few years you will have a very out of balance pond that is overrun by stunted fish.

Thank you for your great feedback Bill. How many bass, and is the striped bass the best?, and when should I add them, and where in No. Ca. can I get them? The pond is 12 feet deep, aerated, and is 3/4 of an acre. VERY much appreciated!

Thank you Cecil,
Given the Cattails in other areas, I suppose this grass will eventually be catttails. If they are 5 feet down, should I wait to "cut" them when they eventually reach the surface of the pond water? I can't imagine trying to cut them at this point as they are along the bottom. Can you recommend a good fish that is "legal" in No. CA that will eat these?

I don't think your "grass" in 5 ft of water will result in cattails. I am assuming the grass type plant you have is mnore grass like than leaves like an iris.

As for predator fish, the hybrid striped bass or striped bass are not real good at controlling bgill and sunfishes. Largemnoth bass are the best predator on the sunfishes. Put in at least 35 to 60 in 3/4 acre. Best to stock 5" to 8" bass if available. Call and ask the county game warden for possible suppliers of bass in your area.
Any success for finding another name for the sun perch?

Thank you for your suggestions Bill. My apology for getting the names of fish confused... no such fish exists. :rolleyes: