What Kind Of Plant Is This?

[Kara101584]

What kind of plant is this? And what are it's optimal living conditions?

Thanks

 

[emma12321]

Looks like cabomba http/www.tropica.com/default.asp

I had some which grew too well and quickly took over the tank.

Emma

 

[AndyTaylor]

Yep, Cabomba... ideal conditions IME are, in a tank with water and light! It grows like a weed in all my tanks. No special care required really... keep it away from airstones and the like or the leaves will get battered off!

 

[Lateral Line]

It is not easy to tell from an out of water picture.

It certainly does not look like Cabomba to me. Cabomba has pairs of fan shaped leaves either side of a central stem.

Hornwort, (Ceratophyllum demersum), which I think it resembles, has a full ring of "tuning fork" shaped leaves that go all the way round the nodes.

If it is Cabomba, it requires good light and clean water. It quickly "bolts" to the surface in poor light so you end up with a long stalk and 2-3 small leaves at the top.

If it is Hornwort, that pretty much grows regardless. It will root, but is often used as a floating plant. Hornwort is a MUCH easier plant then Cabomba. Hornwort is a little brittle, and easily breaks if handled roughly however.