Aquariums: Are snails responsible for those holes ?
I have more and more plants with holes in it ? How can i fix this issue?
Posted by Folterseele
2 Comments
DanielHoogland on
No, not really. It looks like it though which is why your question is understandable. But the plant is likely weakened by something else and the snails are eating the vulnerable and weak parts of the plant. Snails are opportunity eaters, same as if they were eating an (almost) dead fish. They didn’t kill it, they just clean it up and this is very often also misunderstood. If I were to bet the plant is withering from nutrient deficiency, possibly potassium.
Remove the leaves with holes in them, they are not going to be fixed and it lets the plant focus more on the still healthy leaves or growing new ones and see if you can add some plant nutrient. This plant is particular should benefit from a root tab near it’s roots and see if you’re not giving too much / long light. 6-8 hours is generally enough for a low-tech tank.
Negative-Extent-1932 on
No, the holes are typically a result of nutrient deficiencies. Though it may seem like the snails are eating away at the leaves, it is only because those parts of the leaves have already decayed, and the snails are cleaning the dead plant matter up. Assuming that the plant in question is a Java fern, it is most likely a potassium deficiency, as they are potassium hogs. To fix this, you should consider dosing a fertiliser that contains potassium.
2 Comments
No, not really. It looks like it though which is why your question is understandable. But the plant is likely weakened by something else and the snails are eating the vulnerable and weak parts of the plant. Snails are opportunity eaters, same as if they were eating an (almost) dead fish. They didn’t kill it, they just clean it up and this is very often also misunderstood. If I were to bet the plant is withering from nutrient deficiency, possibly potassium.
Remove the leaves with holes in them, they are not going to be fixed and it lets the plant focus more on the still healthy leaves or growing new ones and see if you can add some plant nutrient. This plant is particular should benefit from a root tab near it’s roots and see if you’re not giving too much / long light. 6-8 hours is generally enough for a low-tech tank.
No, the holes are typically a result of nutrient deficiencies. Though it may seem like the snails are eating away at the leaves, it is only because those parts of the leaves have already decayed, and the snails are cleaning the dead plant matter up. Assuming that the plant in question is a Java fern, it is most likely a potassium deficiency, as they are potassium hogs. To fix this, you should consider dosing a fertiliser that contains potassium.