Pest identification
What's eating my staurogyne repens?
Algae (green spot, green dust algae)
Signs: Hard green spots on leaves reduce photosynthesis and mark slow-growing sections
Control: Keep CO2 at 20-30 ppm and ensure good flow near the substrate; otocinclus are excellent spot-algae grazers
Snails (ramshorn, bladder snail)
Signs: Irregular holes in small leaves and uprooted runners
Control: Dip cuttings in dilute hydrogen peroxide before planting, maintain assassin snails or traps
Herbivorous fish (goldfish, larger cichlids)
Signs: Runners pulled from substrate, leaves grazed, carpet patches destroyed
Control: House only with plant-safe species; replant uprooted runners promptly as cuttings
Keep staurogyne repens pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Staurogyne repens pests — FAQ
What is eating my staurogyne repens?
Staurogyne repens is a compact aquarium carpeting plant whose small oval leaves attract snail grazing and algae. It is relatively hardy but slow-growing sections are vulnerable to algae smothering. Herbivorous fish uproot the spreading runners. Good CO2 and flow reaching the substrate are the best defences against both algae and stem rot.
How do I get rid of algae (green spot, green dust algae) on staurogyne repens?
Hard green spots on leaves reduce photosynthesis and mark slow-growing sections Keep CO2 at 20-30 ppm and ensure good flow near the substrate; otocinclus are excellent spot-algae grazers
How do I get rid of snails (ramshorn, bladder snail) on staurogyne repens?
Irregular holes in small leaves and uprooted runners Dip cuttings in dilute hydrogen peroxide before planting, maintain assassin snails or traps
How do I get rid of herbivorous fish (goldfish, larger cichlids) on staurogyne repens?
Runners pulled from substrate, leaves grazed, carpet patches destroyed House only with plant-safe species; replant uprooted runners promptly as cuttings