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Hornwort

HornwortCeratophylum demersumPhoto © Animal-World

   Hornwort is a good plant for aquariums with plant eating fish, since the hard leaves do not taste so good!

   A rootless plant, Hornwort can be kept floating at the top of the aquarium or buried in the gravel to suit your taste. If you bury Hornwort in the substrate, the Hornwort stems are held in the gravel by root-like organs called rhizoids. The stems will branch off to form nice thickets for fish and especially fry to retreat into. Be careful with it however, because it breaks easily and many of the pieces can become their own plants. Hornwort is an easy plant to care for since

   Hornwort can be kept in many aquarium environments, such as coldwater aquariums and tropical aquariums. It is a great aquarium plant for all levels of experienced aquarists. It is also readily available at fish stores or online.

For more Information on keeping a planted aquarium see:
About Planted Aquariums, Adding Aquatic Plants For a Healthy Aquarium

Distribution:    Hornwort are found worldwide.

Water conditions:    Temperature: 50-77° F (10-25° C)
   pH: 6.5 - 7.5
   dCH: 5-15°

Lighting:
   Light level: Medium

Propagation:    Cuttings and side shoots.

Availability:    Hornwort is readily available.

Author: Jasmine Brough

• Ceratophyllum demersum : $1.99

Ceratophyllum Demersum Hornwort Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $1.99

Lastest Comments on Hornwort View all 8 comments on Hornwort Add Your Comment

Michael Brown - 2011-11-27 I have just got 2 bunches of hornwort and floated them I use flora boost too once a week all my other plants are doing well hope the hornwort does the same hope to get some advice? thank you Reply

ang - 2011-10-14 is the hornwort ok if I raise my tank temperture up to 32? for a period af at least ten days? i believe i have ich in my tank... Click For Replies (3) Alex Burleson - 2011-10-14 Assuming, you're speaking of Celsius, 32C, is 89F, and that is not an ideal temperature for your plants, in addition to any fish in your aquarium. Ich is generally based from water quality, and the stress the fish endure...I advise performing 25% water changes per week, in addition to replacing the water with clean, dechlorinated water. You can purchase aquarium medication from your local fish stores/pet stores...ask an associate to help you choose. Jake - 2011-10-27 Just to be safe I'd set out a little to the side. If you do kill it float the portion you set off in you're tank when you drop the temp back down and you'll have another thriving population in no time. On another note, unless your tank is at 86F I wouldn't bump it up that high, for ich treatment using temp you only need to raise it a few degrees F. Jake - 2011-10-27 Another thing I'd like to add, the huge majority of ich treatments on the market will kill or at the very least harm invertebrates. Not only at the time of treatment, but it will soak into the substrate, tank, equipment, etc... making all unsuitable for inverts in the future as well. I always use the temp method and salt water dips. Reply

cindy collins - 2010-11-28 My fish (angelfish....they never die ) However I bought hornwort plant which was healthy and green when I got it and it fell to pieces in less than 2 weeks .. What's the secret to growing it? Click For Replies (4) Anonymous - 2011-01-02 I have had the same experience ..I think some medication and even salt might affect its growth. Fertilization is a must for it sucks a lot of the nutrients to grow. I am inclined to try it again and see how it fairs . Copper meds can kill it within hours I read...so if they can grow it so can I...good luck Eliza Platy Breeder - 2011-01-15 I have had this problem with elodea and hornwort. I have found the best thing to do is keep the pH at about 7-7.4, have some fertilizer handy, make sure you condition your water if you use tap (you can buy Stress Coat at Walmart for about five bucks) and clip off the dead parts about every two weeks. bissy grey - 2011-01-19 Hornwort can be tricky to grow at times but you need to have the water temperature right otherwise it will die! Hornwort is very hardy but sometimes will die if the water is too high or low! The correct water temperature is on the page (: good luck. Gordie - 2011-06-13 There are none, let it grow and grow and grow Reply

Shep - 2008-06-01 This plant is magnificent. I put it in my 29g and it grew THREE INCHES overnight! I love the way it seems to change shape every day. Sometimes it grows thick collections of branches at the top that look like palm trees. Once it grows too big, you just snip it in the middle, attach a plant weight, and throw it somewhere else. Putting a bunch together makes a lovely bush effect. Reply

Bil - 2006-10-07 Hornwort is a great plant very easy to care for and it reproduces by itself. A good plant for fry to hide in. But beware usually it brings friends like snails to your tank. Everytime we get some hornwort we are plagued with pond snails you'll see a few and then a week later there is about 50 snails in there. The hornwort grows fast like cabomba and still gets pecked at by the mollies especially fry mollies. I have all kinds of baby fry in my hornwort. A very good all around plant for the aquarium and it does shed its leaves but the decaying matter turns into algae for the pleco. For beginners this is the best plant for you. Reply

osru - 2006-05-11 Hi everyone! I think your site is very interesting and useful. I always bookmarked it. Reply

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