Pest identification
What's eating my hygrophila polysperma?
Aquarium snails (pond / bladder snails)
Signs: Holes in soft leaves; severe infestations consume new shoots before they can establish
Control: Manual removal; assassin snails; lettuce traps; do not overfeed fish
Herbivorous fish (goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars)
Signs: Leaves stripped entirely; stems left bare or uprooted in the substrate
Control: Keep only with plant-safe species; fast regrowth makes recovery quick once grazers are removed
Black beard algae (Audouinella sp.)
Signs: Dark tufts on lower, shaded stems and leaf nodes where flow is weak
Control: Trim affected stems and discard; improve circulation; dose Excel; add Siamese algae eaters
Keep hygrophila polysperma pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hygrophila polysperma pests — FAQ
What is eating my hygrophila polysperma?
Hygrophila polysperma is a fast-growing stem plant that can outpace most pest pressure, but aquarium snails and herbivorous fish can strip its soft leaves rapidly. Black beard algae colonises slow sections near the base. Its vigorous growth is its best defense — nutrient deficiency poses more risk than pests in most tanks.
How do I get rid of aquarium snails (pond / bladder snails) on hygrophila polysperma?
Holes in soft leaves; severe infestations consume new shoots before they can establish Manual removal; assassin snails; lettuce traps; do not overfeed fish
How do I get rid of herbivorous fish (goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars) on hygrophila polysperma?
Leaves stripped entirely; stems left bare or uprooted in the substrate Keep only with plant-safe species; fast regrowth makes recovery quick once grazers are removed
How do I get rid of black beard algae (audouinella sp.) on hygrophila polysperma?
Dark tufts on lower, shaded stems and leaf nodes where flow is weak Trim affected stems and discard; improve circulation; dose Excel; add Siamese algae eaters