What's eating my micranthemum tweediei 'monte carlo'?

Monte Carlo is a popular low-growing carpeting plant for aquascapes. Algae — especially green hair algae and cyanobacteria — colonise the carpet when CO₂ or flow is inadequate. Pest snails uproot runners. Some shrimp species occasionally graze young shoots. Algae takeover is the dominant failure mode, particularly during the vulnerable early establishment phase.

Threads grow over the carpet and smother leaves during the plant-in phase Use dry-start or ensure CO₂ from day one; add Amano shrimp once fish-safe

Purple-green slime coats carpet sections, blocking light and releasing toxins Improve substrate flow; 3-day blackout; manual siphoning; reduce organic load

Snails dislodge freshly planted runners, creating bare patches Eradicate snails before planting; use tweezers to re-anchor dislodged runners