{"product_id":"hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant","title":"Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHornwort\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCeratophyllum demersum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most forgiving aquarium plants on the planet — a fast-growing, rootless oxygenator that thrives in nearly any freshwater tank. Lush whorls of bristly, dark-green needles soak up nitrate like a sponge, shade out algae, and give fry and shrimp a near-perfect place to hide. Sold as a weighted bunch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e or browse the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efull freshwater collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hornwort is rootless. Leave the bunch floating at the surface (the most natural and easiest setup), or weigh down the lead\/anchor and let the stems grow vertically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to high — extremely adaptable. Grows faster under brighter light but does fine in dim tanks too.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 59–86°F. One of the few plants happy in unheated goldfish setups \u003cem\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e tropical community tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH \/ hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5; soft to moderately hard. Tolerates a wider range than this in practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO₂:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required. Hornwort grows vigorously with no injected CO₂.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liquid water-column ferts only — there are no roots to feed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim it back regularly. It can grow 4–6 inches a week under good light. Expect some needle shedding when the plant is first acclimating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHornwort, Coontail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCeratophyllum demersum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eStem plant, sold as a weighted bunch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e59–86°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eVery fast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO₂\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFloating or background (rootless)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy Hobbyists Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNitrate vacuum:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pulls nitrogen from the water column faster than almost any other aquarium plant — ideal for new tanks that are still stabilizing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAllelopathic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Releases compounds that naturally suppress green algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFry \u0026amp; shrimp shelter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dense, bristly canopy is the gold standard for protecting livebearer fry, betta fry, and baby shrimp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold \u0026amp; warm:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the only plants that thrives in coldwater goldfish tanks as well as tropical community setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo substrate needed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perfect for tanks with bare bottoms, sand, or coarse gravel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Community tetras, rasboras, livebearers, bettas, killifish, dwarf cichlids, and especially \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003efreshwater shrimp \u0026amp; snails\u003c\/a\u003e that graze biofilm off the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goldfish and large cichlids will nibble or shred it — that's fine if you treat it as a fast-growing food\/oxygenator, but don't expect a tidy aquascape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong direct outflow from filters\/powerheads when floating — it'll get pushed all over the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my Hornwort shedding needles?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNormal for the first week or two after moving to a new tank. The plant drops older growth and pushes out new shoots adapted to your water. Vacuum debris during water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFloating or planted — which is better?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFloating is the most natural and grows fastest because it has direct surface light. Planted (anchored) hornwort works too, but tends to lose its lower needles over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill fish eat it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMost community fish ignore it. Goldfish, koi, and some large cichlids will graze on it heavily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it shipped?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWe hand-bag your bunch at pickup so it stays hydrated in its display tank until you arrive. Each bunch is roughly 4–6 stems anchored together.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48522365239515,"sku":"FW5-BHOR","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Hornwort_Ceratophyllum_Demersum__82578.jpg?v=1774727993","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hornwort-ceratophyllum-demersum-freshwater-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}