Grow Foxtail (Ceratophyllum Demersum) for a Healthy, Clear Aquarium

If you're into aquascaping or just looking to make your aquarium or pond a little more self-sustaining, there's one plant that always earns its keep: Ceratophyllum demersum, better known as hornwort or foxtail. It's one of those rare species that's both beautiful and hard-working—a true aquatic multitasker.

What Makes Hornwort Stand Out?

At a glance, hornwort’s feathery, bright green foliage is striking. It floats freely in the water, forming lush, bushy clumps that look a bit like underwater Christmas trees. You won’t find roots here. It absorbs nutrients directly through its stems and leaves, which means it's equally at home drifting through open water or anchored down with a small weight.

This makes hornwort incredibly flexible. Whether you're decorating a nano tank, filling out a community aquarium, or trying to balance the ecosystem in your outdoor pond, it just fits.

Why Keep Hornwort in Your Tank?

It’s Like a Natural Water Filter

Hornwort is especially good at pulling nitrates and phosphates out of the water. That’s great news for anyone tired of battling algae or constantly checking water parameters. This makes maintaining a balanced tank easier, resulting in clearer water and happier fish without constant effort.

It Pumps Out Oxygen

A healthy clump of hornwort works hard all day, photosynthesizing and releasing oxygen into your tank. That means your fish, shrimp, and snails all get a boost, especially in setups that need more aeration.

It Doubles as Shelter and Nursery

Hornwort’s dense structure is perfect for shy fish or tiny fry looking for a safe spot to hide. If you’ve got breeding fish or even just a lively community tank, it offers privacy and protection without any extra effort from you.

It’s Incredibly Easy to Grow

No root tabs, no special substrate, no CO₂ system—just light and water. Hornwort grows fast and adapts well to most conditions, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned aquarists.

Growing Hornwort: Simple Guidelines

• Temperature: 15–30°C (59–86°F)

• pH: 6.0 to 7.5

• Lighting: Medium to high (6–10 hours/day)

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

You can let it float freely, tie it down with plant weights, or even bury it lightly (though it doesn’t need soil to thrive). Just give it room to grow, and it will.

Care Tips

• Trim it regularly to keep it neat and bushy

• Thin out extra growth to avoid blocking light or flow

• Propagate by cutting—just snip a stem and plant or float it!

Is Hornwort Right for Your Setup?

In most cases, absolutely. It works well in:

• Nano tanks and large aquariums

• Coldwater or tropical setups

• Outdoor ponds and indoor aquascapes

• Breeding tanks, shrimp tanks, and more

It’s compatible with most fish—tetras, danios, gouramis, bettas, guppies, mollies, and even shrimp and snails. Just watch out for plant-eaters like goldfish or larger cichlids that might give it a nibble.

Conclusion

In summary, Ceratophyllum demersum, or hornwort, is indeed a versatile plant that every aquarist should know about. Its numerous benefits, such as water quality improvement, oxygenation, and suitability for various aquatic settings, make it an essential addition to any aquarium. By understanding its care requirements and advantages, aquarists can create a thriving, beautiful underwater environment for all inhabitants. Consider giving this remarkable aquatic plant a try in your next setup!