Difference between Cambomba and Hornwort
Hornworts
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) has finely-
divided leaves that are arranged in clusters (i.e.
whorls) of 7-12 and are stalkless (i.e. sessile). The
leaves and stems are mostly underwater (i.e.
submerged) or floating directly on the water
surface. Its inconspicuous flowers are stalkless
(i.e. sessile) and borne below the water surface.
Hornwort is a lot thinner and finer, normally left
floating. If their fine leaves melt, you get a mess.
Otherwise, they grow very fast!
Hornwort is easier. Note that hornwort can melt
at times, if it's in a newly set-up tank. If your tank
is established, hornwort will grow like crazy in
sunlight.
Cabomba
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) has finely-
divided, fan-shaped, leaves that are usually
oppositely arranged and borne on stalks (i.e.
petioles) up to 30 mm long. The leaves and stems
are mostly underwater (i.e. submerged) or
floating directly on the water surface. Its whitish
colored flowers have six 'petals' (i.e. tepals) and
are borne just above the water surface on
relatively long stalks (10-40 mm long).
Cabomba is a stem plant. It needs good soil and
good light.
One should not use Cabomba. Cabomba very easy
to grow but a lot of debris. It sort breaks off or
chews off by fish. Cabomba carliniana or Green
Cabomba is the most commonly sold. Next to
that is Cambomba pulcherrima which is known as
Purple Cabomba (Slightly more reddish) which
most of the time is the fish's favorite ECA Food.
Rests of the cabomba class are not so common.
Hornwort is so much easier to handle, and nicer
to look at too. In good light, cool water, they start
to turn greener and occasionally some will have
reddish tips, especially at the top of the plant.
The hornworts, with only about 100 species
worldwide comprise the smallest group of
bryophytes. Hornwort gametopytes grow as a
thallus (flattened leaf like tissue) with narrow
hornlike or string like projections (sporophytes)
which bear the spores.
Hornworts are found in a variety of habitats, but
are most abundant in damp places such as clay
banks. Most settle on soil or rock, although some
species prefer bark, and others overrun mosses
and liverworts. Anthoceros species are often
found on damp banks, while Dendroceros
giganteus lives on swampy ground.
Hornworts may be found worldwide, though they
tend to grow only in places that are damp or
humid. Some species grow in large numbers as
tiny weeds in the soil of gardens
and cultivated fields. Large tropical and sub-
tropical species of Dendroceros may be
found growing on the bark of trees.
Cabomba
It's a fragile plant, easily breaks, and one really
hate it when it melts.
A long-lived (i.e. perennial) underwater (i.e.
mostly submerged) plant that is usually rooted to
the ground in water 1-3 m deep, but it
can occasionally be free-floating.
A weed of ponds, dams, lakes and slow-moving
waterways over a wide range of wetter climates
(i.e. tropical, sub-tropical and warmer temperate
regions).
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) was deliberately
cultivated as an aquarium and pond plant in the
past. However, it is now illegal to grow or sell this
species in Australia and it should no longer be
present in cultivation.
Hornwort