Pest identification
What's eating my cryptocoryne wendtii 'red'?
Cryptocoryne rot / melt
Signs: Leaves turn mushy and translucent after stress events; new red growth disappears rapidly in severe outbreaks.
Control: Keep water parameters constant; do not replant frequently; remove affected leaves; plant will regenerate from rhizome if it remains healthy.
Green spot algae
Signs: Hard green spots on older leaves; this cultivar's dark coloration can obscure early spots until they are dense.
Control: Maintain phosphate above 0.5 ppm; keep lighting moderate; introduce nerite snails for constant surface grazing.
Snail grazing
Signs: Ragged holes in leaves; soft new growth is most vulnerable and can be eaten faster than it emerges in heavy infestations.
Control: Control snail numbers with assassin snails and manual removal; avoid conditions that cause snail population booms.
Keep cryptocoryne wendtii 'red' 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 'red' problems & fixes
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red' watering schedule
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red' light requirements
- Full cryptocoryne wendtii 'red' care guide
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red' pests — FAQ
What is eating my cryptocoryne wendtii 'red'?
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red' is susceptible to the same melt phenomenon as other wendtii cultivars, especially after transplanting or water chemistry changes. Algae colonizes its slow-growing leaves in brighter tanks. Snails graze on foliage. The vivid red coloration fades under nutrient stress, often mistaken for pest damage.
How do I get rid of cryptocoryne rot / melt on cryptocoryne wendtii 'red'?
Leaves turn mushy and translucent after stress events; new red growth disappears rapidly in severe outbreaks. Keep water parameters constant; do not replant frequently; remove affected leaves; plant will regenerate from rhizome if it remains healthy.
How do I get rid of green spot algae on cryptocoryne wendtii 'red'?
Hard green spots on older leaves; this cultivar's dark coloration can obscure early spots until they are dense. Maintain phosphate above 0.5 ppm; keep lighting moderate; introduce nerite snails for constant surface grazing.
How do I get rid of snail grazing on cryptocoryne wendtii 'red'?
Ragged holes in leaves; soft new growth is most vulnerable and can be eaten faster than it emerges in heavy infestations. Control snail numbers with assassin snails and manual removal; avoid conditions that cause snail population booms.