What's eating my anubias barteri var. nana 'petite'?

This miniature Anubias variant is extremely slow-growing, making it highly susceptible to green spot algae, which colonizes leaves before the plant can replace them. Snail grazing and disturbance by bottom-dwelling fish are secondary concerns. Stable water parameters and moderate flow are the primary defenses.

Hard, immovable green spots on leaves; particularly severe on this slow-growing cultivar because leaves persist for months. Keep phosphate above 0.5 ppm; add nerite snails for continuous grazing; spot-treat with diluted hydrogen peroxide (3%) during water changes using a syringe.

Small holes or ragged edges chewed into delicate leaves; tiny leaves can be destroyed quickly. Control snail populations with assassin snails; reduce detritus buildup; manually remove pond/bladder snails as found.

Rhizome detached from hardscape or buried in substrate, causing the plant to rot and die. Tie rhizome firmly to rock or driftwood with fishing line or aquarium-safe thread; do not keep with aggressive bottom feeders.