What's eating my nymphoides aquatica?

Nymphoides aquatica (banana plant) is most troubled by pond snails, which rasp holes in floating leaves, and aphids that colonise emergent foliage. Algae outcompeting light is also a constant threat in still water. Remove snails by hand and rinse leaves to dislodge aphids; keep the tank well-lit but not over-fertilised.

Irregular holes or ragged edges chewed in floating and submerged leaves; mucus trails visible. Hand-pick snails or introduce assassin snails (Clea helena); avoid overfeeding fish, which boosts snail populations.

Sticky, distorted emergent leaves; clusters of green or black insects on leaf undersides and petioles above the waterline. Rinse leaves with a strong jet of water; submerge affected foliage briefly so fish eat dislodged aphids; avoid systemic insecticides in aquatic systems.

Green mats smother floating pads, block light, and slow plant growth rather than eating tissue directly. Reduce nutrients, increase surface agitation, and manually remove algae; add fast-growing oxygenators to outcompete it.