Pest identification
What's eating my monosolenium tenerum?
Pest snails (Bladder/Ramshorn)
Signs: Grazing causes the brittle thallus to break apart; loose pieces rot quickly
Control: Remove snails manually; use assassin snails; quarantine new additions thoroughly
Black beard algae (BBA)
Signs: Dark tufts attach to thallus edges, blocking light and causing local die-back
Control: Spot-dose with glutaraldehyde; stabilise CO₂; reduce photoperiod
Herbivorous fish
Signs: Fish such as goldfish bite and dislodge thallus chunks
Control: Pair only with invertebrate-safe, plant-friendly species (nano fish, shrimp)
Keep monosolenium tenerum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Monosolenium tenerum pests — FAQ
What is eating my monosolenium tenerum?
Monosolenium tenerum (Pellia) is a fragile aquarium liverwort. Its brittle thallus is easily grazed by snails and disrupted by herbivorous fish. Algae — especially BBA and green hair algae — colonise the surface if nutrients or light are out of balance. Snails are particularly damaging because fragments sink and decompose rather than re-rooting.
How do I get rid of pest snails (bladder/ramshorn) on monosolenium tenerum?
Grazing causes the brittle thallus to break apart; loose pieces rot quickly Remove snails manually; use assassin snails; quarantine new additions thoroughly
How do I get rid of black beard algae (bba) on monosolenium tenerum?
Dark tufts attach to thallus edges, blocking light and causing local die-back Spot-dose with glutaraldehyde; stabilise CO₂; reduce photoperiod
How do I get rid of herbivorous fish on monosolenium tenerum?
Fish such as goldfish bite and dislodge thallus chunks Pair only with invertebrate-safe, plant-friendly species (nano fish, shrimp)