key data
Attitude:
simple and just a little maintenance
Breed:
fast to very fast
Size:
up to 120 cm
Temperature:
15 to 28 degrees Celsius
pH:
6.0 to 8.0
GH:
very soft to hard
CH:
5 to 18°
Look
Typical for the appearance of hornets (Ceratophyllum demersum) is the vegetative appearance with the long and dense growth. The plant forms several large fronds, each of which can reach a length of up to 1 m. Numerous thin and elongated leaves are attached to the fronds. They grow close together and have a needle-like shape. Their appearance is reminiscent of the branches of delicate conifers such as larch or spruce. The width of the whole bushes is comparatively narrow and measures only about 15 cm.
Hornwort is undemanding and easy to handle for aspiring aquarists. Even those who don’t like the roots of floating plants make a good choice with this species. In fact, it does not form any roots, but attracts attention with its attractive appearance and the even shade of green. It also develops vigorously in less than ideal conditions in the aquarium. The degree of brightness does not matter – the herb spreads. If it is allowed to grow indefinitely, it likes to proliferate and can compact the pool. This reduces the incidence of light for the other water dwellers.
distribution
Ceratophyllum demersum is considered robust and undemanding. It thrives in a wide variety of waters around the world. There it can be found both floating and standing without roots.
It thrives particularly well in standing or slow-flowing water with a soft, muddy bottom. Especially with an accumulation of nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate, the plant feels good and grows rampant. Since it still grows magnificently even in low light, it is still at home in water depths of 10 meters.
husbandry conditions
Although the hornwort does not require any special care, it still needs regular pruning due to its rapid growth. Its vegetation must be checked, especially when it is very bright and there are a lot of (excess) nutrients in the water. In addition to the light, the CO² content also proves to be irrelevant for the plant.
In the aquarium, the hornwort is a real asset for the design. It is to be planned as a rootless stemmed plant, both fixed and free-floating. The needle-like shape and bright green combine to create an attractive contrast to other colored or large-leaved plants. The swaying movement of the fronds in the flow creates a balance to the rigid fixtures.
Since a plant can grow very large in the aquarium, it fits best in the background, on the edge or on the sides. As a floating plant, its position is at the water surface. As a single plant with the very long and thin fronds, it comes into its own in a group situation.
If you don’t want the chickpea to stay on the ground and not swim, you have to put in some effort to attach it. Since the plant breaks easily, a careful approach and the right material must be observed. That’s how it’s done:
- Lay the chickweed on the ground at an angle.
- Fasten by weighing it down with small stones or pieces of wood.
- Alternatively, fronds can be loosely tied together with a thin wire or nylon thread and attached to the ground or objects (shards, caves, superstructures).
- Even with the best attachment, parts of the plant can occasionally come loose and drift through the aquarium. These are easy to fish and reattach.
particularities
Hornwort is valuable for the aquarium in several ways:
- As a heavy consumer, the plant extracts nutrients from the water in the form of nitrate and phosphate. Both substances are vital for the growth of algae. By reducing the growth is significantly curbed and there is less algae. As a result, the water stays cleaner for longer. For this reason, the hornwort is also ideal for the breeding tank.
- Various fish (e.g. cichlids or barbel) use the practical growth of the fronds and lay their spawn on the leaves and stems.
Shrimp appreciate the flavor and nutrients of chickweed and happily graze on it. - Some water dwellers find the ideal hiding place in the dense growth of leaves. From there they can watch what is happening in the pool from the shelter.
By the way: Hornwort is commercially available in a 5 cm pot and sometimes also in a clay ring. The number of stems is constant. Before placing in the tank, all extra-plant materials must be removed. The plant is versatile and a real asset to the aquarium.