Pest identification
What's eating my cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'?
Cryptocoryne rot / melt (bacterial soft rot triggered by stress)
Signs: Leaves rapidly turn translucent, then brown and mushy, dissolving within days; caused by sudden parameter swings, transport stress, or waterlogged substrate.
Control: Do not disturb established plants; maintain stable temperature, pH, and CO2; trim melted leaves promptly; healthy rhizomes usually re-sprout within weeks.
Green dust algae and green spot algae
Signs: Film of dust algae coats leaves in high-light tanks; green spot algae forms hard spots on older leaves.
Control: Reduce lighting duration to 7–8 hours; add otocinclus or nerite snails; wipe leaves gently during water changes.
Snail grazing (ramshorn, bladder snails)
Signs: Holes chewed in softer leaves, particularly new growth; populations explode with overfeeding.
Control: Introduce assassin snails; manually remove pest snails; reduce detritus and leftover food.
Keep cryptocoryne wendtii 'green' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats wendt's water trumpet — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common cryptocoryne wendtii 'green' problems & fixes
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' watering schedule
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' light requirements
- Full cryptocoryne wendtii 'green' care guide
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'?
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' is vulnerable to Cryptocoryne rot (melt), a stress-triggered bacterial collapse rather than a true pest. Algae, snails, and herbivorous fish are the key biological threats. Stable water chemistry prevents melt; routine snail control and compatible fish keep the plant intact and growing.
How do I get rid of cryptocoryne rot / melt (bacterial soft rot triggered by stress) on cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'?
Leaves rapidly turn translucent, then brown and mushy, dissolving within days; caused by sudden parameter swings, transport stress, or waterlogged substrate. Do not disturb established plants; maintain stable temperature, pH, and CO2; trim melted leaves promptly; healthy rhizomes usually re-sprout within weeks.
How do I get rid of green dust algae and green spot algae on cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'?
Film of dust algae coats leaves in high-light tanks; green spot algae forms hard spots on older leaves. Reduce lighting duration to 7–8 hours; add otocinclus or nerite snails; wipe leaves gently during water changes.
How do I get rid of snail grazing (ramshorn, bladder snails) on cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'?
Holes chewed in softer leaves, particularly new growth; populations explode with overfeeding. Introduce assassin snails; manually remove pest snails; reduce detritus and leftover food.