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Cabomba, Cabomba caroliniana

Plant · Stem

Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana · Southeastern South America and the eastern and western United States · also Carolina fanwort, green cabomba

Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It needs strong light more than anything; in a dim or very warm tank it turns thin, pale and falls apart. Trim it often because it races to the surface. Never release it or dump it in a drain or pond.

At a glance

Light

Bright light

CO₂

CO₂ helps

Growth

Fast growth

Where it goes

Back

Temperature

20–25°C

pH

6–7

Height in a tank

30–60 cm 12–24 in

Difficulty

Some care

What it does for your tank

Fine, fan-shaped leaves make a soft hiding place for fry and small fish.

Fish that eat or uproot it

Goldfish, silver dollars and many cichlids shred the delicate leaves.

Growing more

Cut off stem tops and replant them; cut stems are slow to branch.

Grows well with

Same light and temperature, but a different spot in the tank, so they fill it out together.

Alternanthera reineckii

Alternanthera reineckii

Plant · StemSome care

  • Bright light!
  • CO₂ helps
  • Steady growth
  • Middle
  • 18–26°C

Pink to red leaves make a colour contrast among green plants.

South America

Alternanthera reineckii

Alternanthera reineckii

South America

Temperature
18–26°C
pH
6–7
Height
10–20 in · 25–50 cm
Light
High
CO₂
Helps
Growth
Medium
Goes
Middle
Difficulty
Some care

More plants. Pinch off the top and plant it; the old stem branches out.

Goldfish, silver dollars and some plecos chew its soft leaves.

Full care guide

Photo: Rchampagne, Public domain

Dwarf baby tears

No photo yet

Plant · CarpetHard

  • Bright light!
  • Needs CO₂!
  • Steady growth
  • Front
  • 22–26°C

Makes the classic bright green lawn in small aquascapes.

Cuba

Dwarf baby tears

Micranthemum callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Cuba

Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–7
Height
0.4–2 in · 1–5 cm
Light
High
CO₂
Needed
Growth
Medium
Goes
Front
Difficulty
Hard

More plants. Plant small clumps; runners spread into a carpet.

Not eaten much, but digging fish, plecos and crayfish pull it up easily.

Full care guide

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