Pest identification
What's eating my pogostemon erectus?
Algae (thread algae, hair algae)
Signs: Fine algae threads tangle in needle foliage, choking growth and causing lower-stem dieback
Control: Improve water circulation through dense stands, maintain CO2, add Amano shrimp to graze thread algae
Detritus and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
Signs: Blue-green slime coats lower stems in low-flow zones, leading to stem rot
Control: Increase flow at substrate level, siphon detritus weekly, dose erythromycin as a last resort for BGA outbreaks
Snails and herbivorous fish
Signs: Stems bitten through or uprooted, patchy bare areas in the stand
Control: Keep with plant-safe tank mates; replant broken stems as cuttings; control snail population with assassin snails
Keep pogostemon erectus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pogostemon erectus pests — FAQ
What is eating my pogostemon erectus?
Pogostemon erectus is a needle-leaved aquarium stem plant prone to algae smothering its dense foliage and to snail grazing. Its fine leaves trap detritus that feeds algae. Herbivorous fish find the delicate stems easy to uproot. Maintaining strong CO2 and water flow through the dense growth is the best defence.
How do I get rid of algae (thread algae, hair algae) on pogostemon erectus?
Fine algae threads tangle in needle foliage, choking growth and causing lower-stem dieback Improve water circulation through dense stands, maintain CO2, add Amano shrimp to graze thread algae
How do I get rid of detritus and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) on pogostemon erectus?
Blue-green slime coats lower stems in low-flow zones, leading to stem rot Increase flow at substrate level, siphon detritus weekly, dose erythromycin as a last resort for BGA outbreaks
How do I get rid of snails and herbivorous fish on pogostemon erectus?
Stems bitten through or uprooted, patchy bare areas in the stand Keep with plant-safe tank mates; replant broken stems as cuttings; control snail population with assassin snails