Pest identification
What's eating my anubias gigantea?
Green spot algae
Signs: Hard green spots across the broad leaf surface; heavy infestations severely reduce the ornamental value of large leaves.
Control: Use moderate lighting and balanced nutrients; employ nerite snails for surface grazing; manually remove worst-affected leaves.
Large herbivorous or digging fish (large cichlids, koi, goldfish)
Signs: Leaves bitten off; rhizome uprooted and left to rot on the substrate.
Control: Secure rhizome firmly to large rocks or driftwood; do not house with known plant-eating fish species.
Snail grazing
Signs: Ragged holes and surface marks on leaves; large, flat leaves provide ideal grazing surfaces.
Control: Keep snail populations in check with assassin snails and manual removal; avoid conditions (overfeeding, detritus) that fuel population explosions.
Keep anubias gigantea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Anubias gigantea pests — FAQ
What is eating my anubias gigantea?
Anubias gigantea, one of the largest Anubias species, produces substantial leaves that are vulnerable to green spot algae and large herbivorous fish. Its size also makes it a target for uprooting by digging cichlids and large loaches. Snail populations can graze on leaf surfaces given time.
How do I get rid of green spot algae on anubias gigantea?
Hard green spots across the broad leaf surface; heavy infestations severely reduce the ornamental value of large leaves. Use moderate lighting and balanced nutrients; employ nerite snails for surface grazing; manually remove worst-affected leaves.
How do I get rid of large herbivorous or digging fish (large cichlids, koi, goldfish) on anubias gigantea?
Leaves bitten off; rhizome uprooted and left to rot on the substrate. Secure rhizome firmly to large rocks or driftwood; do not house with known plant-eating fish species.
How do I get rid of snail grazing on anubias gigantea?
Ragged holes and surface marks on leaves; large, flat leaves provide ideal grazing surfaces. Keep snail populations in check with assassin snails and manual removal; avoid conditions (overfeeding, detritus) that fuel population explosions.