Yellow cabomba (Cabomba aquatica) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Giant cabomba, Fanwort
Family
Cabombaceae (fanwort family)
Origin
South America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
80 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
Soft: 1–8 dGH (estimate)
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 not needed but helps

Care

Cabomba aquatica (family Cabombaceae) is a South American stem plant valued for its fine, fan-like foliage. Tropica calls it the least demanding Cabomba and rates it easy, with medium light and low CO2, reaching 30–80 cm with stems 5–8 cm across. It looks best planted in groups in the background. It can struggle in dim tanks; if your light is weak, Tropica suggests Limnophila sessiliflora instead. Mature plants can produce small floating leaves and yellow flowers at the surface (hence 'yellow cabomba'). It is eaten locally as a vegetable. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Separate young plants from the bunch, strip the lowest 5 cm of leaves and any damaged ones, and plant each with space around it; roots soon form (Tropica).

Compatibility and tank mates

Soft, fine leaves are eaten by goldfish, large cichlids and herbivores, and can be clogged by debris from diggers. Good with small community fish and shrimp.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.