An overabundance of hornwort and snails - problem?

Pete.8

I set up my little pond about 4 years ago and hornwort was one of the plants I added at the start (thanks for the recommendation Dove).
It's not done much until this year - but now the only plant I can see in the water is hornwort and a vast number of snails. The whole pond is full to the bottom (2ft) with hornwort.
The pond is very healthy with lots of news (I just counted 16) and a frog.

Should I remove some of the hornwort, and if so when?
Should I remove some of the snails?
As an aside - any idea of what the little white flower belongs to? (2nd pic)

Thanks

fidgetbones

I would hoik some of it out. You want about 50% of the surface to be covered.

fidgetbones

Thrushes will like a few snails.

Fairygirl

Might be a white forget me not. What's the foliage like? 

Pete.8

Fairygirl said:

Might be a white forget me not. What's the foliage like? 

Thanks Fg
No idea - it's buried beneath all the hornwort
Flower is larger than the garden forget-me-nots with a pink edge. I do have an aquatic
f-m-n on the edge of the pond which has smaller flowers. This one has come up from the depths
Here's a clearer pic-

fidgetbones said:

I would hoik some of it out. You want about 50% of the surface to be covered.

Thanks  fb
I'm just concerned that the newts and frog may still be breeding - I wouldn't want to pull out plants with their eggs on them so wondering when they all finish breeding and it's safe to hoik some out. Some of the newts still look fat with eggs

Pete.8

I'm advised that the flower belongs to a water violet - interesting as it's not something I've bought, but glad it's taken up home.

I've pulled out masses of hornwort unfortunately with masses of minute newts - hope they find their way back to the pond.

Fire

I would wait until after August to do any pond clearnance.

Pete.8

Thanks @Fire, but a bit too late for this year I'm afraid.

BenCotto

I don’t know if it’ll work for your snails but I have read that ramshorn snails go crazy for carrot. Drop a carrot if the pond and the snails will come the snail equivalent of running. Snail and carrot can then be scooped out.

Pete.8

Cheers Ben - What a great idea.
Then wrap in puff pastry and in the oven at 180 for about 25 minutes 😁
I'll give it a go next time I've got some carrots