Pest identification
What's eating my bacopa australis?
Algae (green spot, hair algae)
Signs: Green coating or fuzzy threads on leaves, blocking light and stunting growth
Control: Reduce photoperiod to 8 hours, dose liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) or CO2, increase water circulation
Ramshorn and pond snails
Signs: Irregular holes or ragged edges on tender leaves
Control: Manual removal, add assassin snails (Clea helena), or use a snail trap; avoid copper-based treatments near invertebrates
Herbivorous fish (goldfish, cichlids)
Signs: Stems uprooted or leaves stripped bare
Control: Keep only plant-safe fish species; protect with dense planting or move to a species-appropriate tank
Keep bacopa australis pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Bacopa australis pests — FAQ
What is eating my bacopa australis?
Bacopa australis is an aquarium stem plant troubled mainly by algae overgrowth and snail grazing. Algae smothers slow-growing new shoots when light or nutrients are imbalanced. Ramshorn and pond snails rasp leaf surfaces. Herbivorous fish such as goldfish and some cichlids will eat or uproot stems entirely.
How do I get rid of algae (green spot, hair algae) on bacopa australis?
Green coating or fuzzy threads on leaves, blocking light and stunting growth Reduce photoperiod to 8 hours, dose liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) or CO2, increase water circulation
How do I get rid of ramshorn and pond snails on bacopa australis?
Irregular holes or ragged edges on tender leaves Manual removal, add assassin snails (Clea helena), or use a snail trap; avoid copper-based treatments near invertebrates
How do I get rid of herbivorous fish (goldfish, cichlids) on bacopa australis?
Stems uprooted or leaves stripped bare Keep only plant-safe fish species; protect with dense planting or move to a species-appropriate tank