Pest identification
What's eating my cryptocoryne undulata?
Pond/bladder snails
Signs: Irregular holes and chewed margins on the wavy leaves; egg masses on the underside
Control: Use assassin snails or a small loach; remove visible snails by hand at each water change
Green spot algae
Signs: Hard green discs adhere to the leaf surface, resisting wiping and reducing photosynthesis
Control: Raise phosphate slightly (0.1-0.5 ppm), scrape spots with a credit card, add nerite snails which eat green spot algae effectively
Crypt rot
Signs: All leaves melt away within days; triggered by sudden temperature drop, large water change or CO2 fluctuation
Control: Stabilise water chemistry; leave rhizomes in substrate — plants recover without intervention in most cases
Keep cryptocoryne undulata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cryptocoryne undulata pests — FAQ
What is eating my cryptocoryne undulata?
Cryptocoryne undulata is a resilient aquarium plant that tolerates a wide range of conditions, but it still suffers from snail grazing, algae overgrowth, and Crypt rot following parameter shifts. Its wavy, bronze-green leaves can hide early algae colonisation, so regular inspection during water changes is worthwhile.
How do I get rid of pond/bladder snails on cryptocoryne undulata?
Irregular holes and chewed margins on the wavy leaves; egg masses on the underside Use assassin snails or a small loach; remove visible snails by hand at each water change
How do I get rid of green spot algae on cryptocoryne undulata?
Hard green discs adhere to the leaf surface, resisting wiping and reducing photosynthesis Raise phosphate slightly (0.1-0.5 ppm), scrape spots with a credit card, add nerite snails which eat green spot algae effectively
How do I get rid of crypt rot on cryptocoryne undulata?
All leaves melt away within days; triggered by sudden temperature drop, large water change or CO2 fluctuation Stabilise water chemistry; leave rhizomes in substrate — plants recover without intervention in most cases