Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help What is eating my waterlily stems

I have a 500 gallon pond in my backyard but, it seems to be having difficulty with my lily's. I have planted a few lily in pots and have put them in my pond but it seems Every time I do this the bottom of the lily stems are always eaten by something in the pond. The lily stems are being eating until they detach themselves from the plant and then end up floating around the pond until it dies off. I thought that my goldfish were doing it so I took them all out but, it is still happening. The only other things in the pond are tadpoles, a few apple snails, and a 2 pound Hypostomus plecostomus (sucker fish). Would any of these be doing this? If not do you know what is.

I can't picture how big a 500 gal pond is.
Could a turtle be hiding there somewhere? They like to eat lillys & what you're describing is what I see snappers do in my pond. Do you see any v-shaped bites in the leaves?

For me to get lilly pads established in my pond, I have to cage them off until they are big enough.

The turtles come and chomp them down.

A 500 gallon pond is about the largest pre made pond you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes. It is about 12 feet by 6 feet. My pond is very clear and I don't see any turtles in there. I am very baffled.