Pest identification
What's eating my microsorum pteropus?
Black beard algae (Audouinella sp.)
Signs: Dark tufts on leaf margins and rhizome; smothers growth points and looks unsightly
Control: Spot-treat with undiluted Excel/glutaraldehyde using a syringe; improve CO2 and flow; introduce Siamese algae eaters
Green spot algae
Signs: Hard green discs on broad frond surfaces, especially in high-light areas
Control: Reduce photoperiod to 8 hours; dose phosphate to 1–2 ppm (deficiency drives GSA); nerite snails graze it effectively
Aquarium snails
Signs: Pitting and small holes on older, softening fronds; rarely serious on healthy plants
Control: Manual removal; assassin snails for sustained control; avoid crushing snails in tank (ammonia spike)
Keep microsorum pteropus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Microsorum pteropus pests — FAQ
What is eating my microsorum pteropus?
Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) is one of the most pest-resistant aquarium plants, but it is not immune. Aquarium snails occasionally graze on older or decaying leaves, and algae — especially green spot and black beard algae — colonise its tough fronds. Plant-eating fish will chew leaves in a starved or overstocked tank.
How do I get rid of black beard algae (audouinella sp.) on microsorum pteropus?
Dark tufts on leaf margins and rhizome; smothers growth points and looks unsightly Spot-treat with undiluted Excel/glutaraldehyde using a syringe; improve CO2 and flow; introduce Siamese algae eaters
How do I get rid of green spot algae on microsorum pteropus?
Hard green discs on broad frond surfaces, especially in high-light areas Reduce photoperiod to 8 hours; dose phosphate to 1–2 ppm (deficiency drives GSA); nerite snails graze it effectively
How do I get rid of aquarium snails on microsorum pteropus?
Pitting and small holes on older, softening fronds; rarely serious on healthy plants Manual removal; assassin snails for sustained control; avoid crushing snails in tank (ammonia spike)