Fine leaves with wavy moments and an excellent backdrop are some features that make Cabomba Aquatica Aquarists’ favorite. This plant has many peculiarities, stunning growth rates, and easy propagation techniques. Cabomba Aquatica requires medium care for optimal growth. With all of these things, you’ll learn about whether the cabomba is invasive, and whether they require CO2 for growth heading. Some differences with Cabomba Carolina are also part of the discussion.
cabomba aquatica care
Aquatic Plant Cabomba Aquatica
Cabomba aquatica is a famous perennial aquarium plant. This freshwater beauty is distributed in different regions of South America, North America, Central America, and the West Indies. They usually grow in fresh ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. However, you can also observe their presence in slow-moving rivers with low currents.
Peculiarities
This South American freshwater plant shares numerous peculiarities. Some of them are in the following.
- They can grow in both submerged and floating conditions.
- In submerged conditions, they have fan-shaped and finely divided leaves. In floating conditions, their leaves are simple and oval-shaped.
- They have white or cream flowering. The petals have two yellow spots at the base of each and a pink tinge at the tip.
- Cabomba aquatica has thin and fragile stems.
- They have a high growth rate.
- They show optimal growth at 18 to 26°C and 6-7 pH.
- Andrequire high lighting for optimal growth.
- Soft water condition optimizes their growth.
- They give a contrast when grown with large leaf plants, i.e., Echinodorus.
Advantages in Aquarium
Cabomba Aquatica provides numerous advantages to aquarists.
- It improves the oxygenation of the tank by producing Oxygen and absorbing Carbon dioxide.
- Also acts as a food source for the herbivorous fish species.
- It provides a shelter for fry and young fish. It’s a home of invertebrates.
- Helps in aquascaping at midground and background with a fast growth rate.
- It helps to create a soft and flowing look of the aquarium.
- Its bushy growth provides shelter and a resting place for fish and shrimps.
- Helps to counter the algae growth in the tank.
- It removes the nitrates from the aquarium.
- It brings life to the tank with green leaves and cream flowers.
cabomba aquatica
Growth Rate
With 1 inch per day growth rate, these plants can grow up to 30 to 80 cm tall. Sometimes, it can grow up to 2 inches per day with idealistic conditions.
Propagation
It’s neither hard nor easy to propagate Cabomba aquatica. You can propagate the plant with cuttings, side shoots, and top cuttings.
Here are some recommendations to successfully grow this aquatic beauty.
- Install at least 2 watts per gallon light.
- It grows well in full spectrum light, i.e., 5000 – 7000K.
- Maintain the water temperature between 72°-82°F.
- Ensure the cleanliness of the water.
- Grow it in the background or the sides of the aquarium.
- Avoid sudden changes, as they can cause rot or melting in the plant.
In short, take a stem below the node and remove three to four pairs of leaves from the bottom. Gently insert it into the substrate. Grouping several shoots is one of the best options to create a fuller look.
Does Cabomba Aquatica Need CO2?
Cabomba Aquatica is one of the beginner-friendly and hardy plants. It doesn’t require additional CO2 for growth. Among many species of Cabomba, Cabmoba Caroliniana is an invasive species. Due to its invasive nature, it is a threat to freshwater native plants in Europe and Australia. Therefore, it’s in category 3 of restricted invasive plant species under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Cabomba Aquatica Flower
Take Care of Cabomba Aquatica in Aquariums
Although, many experts say that it’s easy to grow and maintain Cabomba Aquatica in the aquarium. Yes, but you have everything in perfect condition, i.e., lighting, fertilizer, water parameters, etc. Here is a comprehensive Cabomba aquatica care guide.
Lighting
Lighting is very crucial. It requires a medium to highlight for optimal growth. Otherwise, the plant will start deteriorating and shredding its leaves. High lighting will optimize the growth rate. Therefore, provide at least 2 watts per gallon for 8 to 10 hours daily. A full spectrum light with 5000 to 7000K will help you to see the true colors of your plant.
Water Parameters
Water parameters are crucial for proper plant growth.
| Parameter | Value |
| Temperature | 72 – 82°F |
| pH | 6.8 to 7.5 |
| Hardness | 3-8 dGH |
| Flow rate | Moderate |
Flow Rate
Naturally, they grow in no or low current conditions. Therefore, install such a pump that creates a low or moderate flow. Growing in a dead spot or low current condition is also a solution for a large or high flow rate tank.
Substrate
It’s optimal to grow these plants in nutrient-rich substrate. While planting, burrow the bottom side at least 1 inch deep.
Fertilizer
Usually, Cabomba Aquatica doesn’t require fertilizers in the aquarium, as it takes nitrates and carbon dioxide from the tank. However, if you need fertilizer application, add liquid fertilizers, and CO2 is optional.
Trimming
Cabomba Aquatica grows fast, i.e., 1–2 inches per day. Therefore, it requires frequent pruning and trimming. When the shoots grow more than 3 inches, trim them and use them for propagation. Trim the top when its head touches the top surface of the tank.
Fish Compatibility
They are fragile and delicate plants. Therefore, these are never stock aggressive species, e.g., goldfish, cichlids, etc., alongside. Add some calm species in the Cabomba Aquatica tank, e.g., tetras, guppies, etc.
Cabomba Aquatica Beautiful Foliage
Cabomba Aquatica Vs Caroliniana
Cabomba Aquatica and Cabomba Caroliniana belong to Cabomba. However, both are different. Here are several contrasting aspects of them.
| Feature | Cabomba Aquatica | Cabomba Caroliniana |
| Leaf color | Light green and yellow-green | Lush green with seldom silver at the underside |
| Leaf Structure | Fine and bushy leaves with 150 to 200 leaflets | Leaflet varies in delicate and coarse, i.e., 80 to 150 in delicate and 20 to 60 in coarse leaves. |
| Leaflet width | 0.4 mm | 0.4 to 1.8 mm |
| Flowering | Yellow | White with yellow center |
| Growth Difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Growth Pattern | Less leggy, short internodal space | Leggy, large internodal space |
| Appearance | Finer, like cotton candy from a distance | Coarser |
| Environment | High-tech tank and optimal parameters | Hardy and can withstand a range |
is cabomba invasive
Parting Thoughts
Cabomba Aquatica is an aquatic beauty belonging to the Cabomba family. This no- or slow-moving water plant has numerous advantages, a fast growth rate, and easy propagation. It requires no CO2 for proper growth. Several factors, i.e., lighting, water quality, flow rate, substrate condition, trimming, and compatible fish stocking, are some key care aspects. It differs from Cabomba Caroliniana with several contrasting aspects.
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