Unknown Plant

[dan2x38]

Here are 2 photos of a plant clipping I got in a bag of CRS from Zap last night. It looks like a great plant I hope it roots. Its leaves/needles are course with little knobs along their length. It is a very rich green colour. The needles kind of feel like a real pine needle.

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[charlie]

Google Hornwort & compare.

[dan2x38]

Google Hornwort & compare.

Every hornwort I saw in shops looked darker with fine needles. I Googled and found more like this not 100% sure though what is the best way to determine it?

[cemantic]

I bought the same plant, or at least looks the same from Fishtails and they did not know what it was.  It looks the same as when it was out of the tank just lying on the counter.

I put it in my 110 gallon with the goldies and they leave this one alone but ate all the Hornwort I put in almost as soon as I put the hood back on.  This one is still there a week later untouched, so I figure it is something different.

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[BigDaddy]

There are two different types of hornwort

C. demersum differs from C. submersum in that it has harder, rougher stems and leaves.  C. submersum is more willowy and soft.

[charlie]

http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-50.htm

[charlie]

http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-51.htm

[dan2x38]

Of course you guys hit the nail right on the head Charlie & BigDaddy! I would say mine is, 'Ceratophyllum submersum'. The other v. has a darkish red stem mine has the green stem. Here is an interesting description of the plant. It seems it is called the Tropical Hornwort but originates from the not so tropical Northern Ireland, a fellow ancestor... 

I always thought of hornwort as that soft darker type always shedding clogging up the drains & tanks in PetSmart. Didn't realize there were others.

[angelfreak]

I just bought some of this at the old Super Pet on Merrivale a week ago, They didnt have a tag for it, but I liked it and thought I'd try it. I put it in my 77gal. and I have to keep trimming it because it has grown 3' since I put it in. Thanks Charlie LoL. I now have quite a bit so if anyone wants some give me a shout.

Scott

Here is a couple pics

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[cemantic]

The one I have just has a cut off stem with no roots at all.  I assume you would still plant them.  The fish ate the other kind of hornwort but seem to be not eating this variety but are nosing around it and it keeps getting up rooted and is floating around the tank.

Any advice on how to plant them?

I wrapped the foam and lead it came with and put that in so at least now when they come loose it is as a bunch.

Another question, would the lead have any effect on the tank chemistry or on the fish if you leave it there temporarily?

[PaleoFishGirl]

Hornwort doesn't really plant well, it does better floating.  You *can* stick it in the substrate but eventually the stem will rot and break off... some people have more luck with this than others, though.