What's eating my cryptocoryne parva?

Cryptocoryne parva is the smallest Crypt and one of the slowest growing, making it extremely vulnerable to algae smothering its tiny leaves before they can be replaced. Melt after disturbance is a serious risk. Snails can devastate the diminutive foliage quickly. It needs stable, low-competition tank conditions to thrive.

Tiny leaves are quickly overwhelmed by algae coating; thread algae tangles around the small rosettes and chokes growth. Keep lighting low to moderate; add nerite snails and amano shrimp; manually remove thread algae with a toothbrush; liquid carbon spot treatments.

Rapid leaf dissolution after any disturbance, transplant, or sudden parameter shift; the small plant has limited reserves to recover from severe melt. Plant once and leave undisturbed; maintain stable temperature and pH; trim melted leaves immediately to prevent bacterial spread.

Even small pest snails can consume the tiny leaves entirely; bladder snails are especially destructive on this cultivar. Maintain strict snail control using assassin snails; avoid introducing hitchhiker snails on new plant purchases; inspect plants before adding to tank.