What's eating my cryptocoryne spiralis?

Cryptocoryne spiralis is an aquatic plant kept almost exclusively in aquariums, so traditional soil pests are irrelevant. The real threats are aquatic: snails that rasp holes in leaves, algae smothering new growth, and Crypt rot triggered by water-parameter swings. Stable water chemistry is the primary defense.

Ragged holes or notched leaf edges; egg clusters on leaf undersides Remove snails by hand; add assassin snails (Clea helena) or a loach species to control populations naturally

Green or dark coating smothers leaves, blocking light and stunting growth Reduce photoperiod to 8 hours, improve CO2 and circulation, introduce algae-eating shrimp (Amano) or otocinclus catfish

Leaves collapse and dissolve rapidly after a water change or parameter shift Maintain stable temperature, pH and KH; avoid abrupt changes; leave rhizomes — new leaves regrow within weeks