Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Southern Naiad. Good or Bad?

Gates, The snails are feeding on the periphyton(epiphyton) that is growing on the Naiad. The epiphyton has lots of microscopic algae and assoicated small invertebrates in and among the growth that the snails are grazing on.
Are you positive that you have Naiad? Southern naiad and most of the naiads are pretty weak leaved and stemed to allow for snails the size of quarters to golf balls to move around on the plants with out colapsing the entire plant. This is especially true for the spindly growth habit of naiad in deeper water. Shallow water naiad often has a growth habit of shorter stouter growing bushier plants that could probably physically support grazing by large snails. Can you post a close photo of your "southern" naiad and Egera.? The various naiads can be difficult to accurately identify.