Pest identification
What's eating my ludwigia repens?
Algae (green spot algae, hair algae)
Signs: Hard green spots on upper leaves and tangled threads on stems reduce photosynthesis
Control: Balance CO2 and light, add nerite snails for spot algae, Amano shrimp for hair algae; trim and remove badly affected stems
Pest snails (bladder snails, pond snails)
Signs: Pinholes and ragged leaf margins; heavy infestations can defoliate stems
Control: Trap with blanched vegetables, introduce assassin snails, reduce overfeeding that fuels population growth
Herbivorous fish (goldfish, Buenos Aires tetras, silver dollars)
Signs: Leaves and soft stems eaten; an appealing food source for many plant-eating fish
Control: Exclude herbivorous fish; if unavoidable, grow L. repens as an emersed/pond marginal only
Aphids (emersed/pond-margin growth)
Signs: Colonies on new stem tips above water cause curling, yellowing and sticky residue
Control: Knock off with a water jet, apply diluted neem oil to emersed sections, rinse before any submersion
Keep ludwigia repens pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ludwigia repens pests — FAQ
What is eating my ludwigia repens?
Ludwigia repens is a hardy aquarium and pond-margin plant. Its soft leaves attract pest snails and herbivorous fish, while algae colonises stems when nutrients are unbalanced. It also grows emersed in ponds and paludariums where aphids and spider mites may appear. Regular trimming and adequate CO2 keep it healthy and growing fast enough to outpace damage.
How do I get rid of algae (green spot algae, hair algae) on ludwigia repens?
Hard green spots on upper leaves and tangled threads on stems reduce photosynthesis Balance CO2 and light, add nerite snails for spot algae, Amano shrimp for hair algae; trim and remove badly affected stems
How do I get rid of pest snails (bladder snails, pond snails) on ludwigia repens?
Pinholes and ragged leaf margins; heavy infestations can defoliate stems Trap with blanched vegetables, introduce assassin snails, reduce overfeeding that fuels population growth
How do I get rid of herbivorous fish (goldfish, buenos aires tetras, silver dollars) on ludwigia repens?
Leaves and soft stems eaten; an appealing food source for many plant-eating fish Exclude herbivorous fish; if unavoidable, grow L. repens as an emersed/pond marginal only
How do I get rid of aphids (emersed/pond-margin growth) on ludwigia repens?
Colonies on new stem tips above water cause curling, yellowing and sticky residue Knock off with a water jet, apply diluted neem oil to emersed sections, rinse before any submersion