background plant · medium

Cabomba: height, light, CO₂ & fish that eat it

Cabomba caroliniana has no height published by our sources and grows in the background of a tank. It's rated for medium–high light, and injected CO₂ is not needed. Temperature 39–81°F, pH 5–7.

Restricted in some US states. On prohibited or restricted lists in Washington, Wisconsin and Michigan. California rates it a quarantine pest; Minnesota regulates it. Never release it outdoors.

Try it in the tank builder See which fish eat it

How tall it grows

Our sources don't publish a height for this plant.

Will it fit your tank?

Height not published. Our sources don't give a height, so we can't check the fit.

Check it with your fish →

Quick facts

Grows to: not published
Height basis: —
Where it goes: midground, background
Light: medium–high light
Injected CO₂: not needed
Growth: fast
Difficulty: medium
Temperature: 39–81°F
pH: 5–7
Hardness: not published
Feeds through: not published
Also sold as: Carolina fanwort; Green cabomba

Planting tip: Give it strong light, since low light or high temperatures make it weak and leggy.

Fish and Cabomba

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: plant-eating and digging named in each fish's sources, plus temperature and pH overlap.

Eats it (9)

May uproot it (6)

Different water (3)

Fish that leave it alone and share its water (92)

Pearl Gourami Angelfish German Blue Ram Bolivian Ram Kribensis Bronze Cory Panda Cory Pygmy Cory Julii Cory Bristlenose Pleco Otocinclus Kuhli Loach Hillstream Loach Siamese Algae Eater Cherry Shrimp Amano Shrimp Mystery Snail Glowlight Tetra Lemon Tetra Congo Tetra Black Neon Tetra Chili Rasbora Boesemani Rainbowfish Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish African Dwarf Frog Pea Puffer Ghost Shrimp Iridescent Shark Bala Shark Red-Tail Shark Rainbow Shark Chinese Algae Eater Neon Tetra Cardinal Tetra Black Skirt Tetra Serpae Tetra Rummy-nose Tetra Ember Tetra Harlequin Rasbora Zebra Danio Celestial Pearl Danio White Cloud Mountain Minnow Cherry Barb Tiger Barb Guppy Endler's Livebearer Molly Platy Swordtail Betta Dwarf Gourami Honey Gourami Head-and-tail-light Tetra Bleeding Heart Tetra Diamond Tetra Silver Tip Tetra Pristella Tetra Penguin Tetra Silver Hatchetfish Marbled Hatchetfish Lambchop Rasbora Pearl Danio Giant Danio Scissortail Rasbora Gold Barb Rosy Barb Odessa Barb Denison Barb Variatus Platy Three-spot Gourami Moonlight Gourami Sparkling Gourami Paradise Fish Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Firemouth Cichlid Discus Blood Parrot Cichlid Peppered Cory Sterbai Cory Clown Pleco Pictus Catfish Glass Catfish Upside-down Catfish Weather Loach Forktail Blue-eye Clown Killifish Bumblebee Goby Crystal Red Shrimp Bamboo Shrimp Ramshorn Snail Malaysian Trumpet Snail Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Cabomba grow?

Our sources don't publish a height for Cabomba.

How much light does Cabomba need?

It's rated for medium–high light. Growers often disagree on light, so this is the full range across our sources.

Does Cabomba need CO₂?

No. Its sources rate its CO₂ need as low, and it grows without injection.

Which fish eat Cabomba?

In our database, Convict Cichlid, Common Pleco, Common / Comet Goldfish, Clown Loach, Tinfoil Barb, Buenos Aires Tetra, Kissing Gourami, Yoyo Loach, Fancy Goldfish are flagged as eating live plants. Tough-leaved anubias usually hold up better.

Is Cabomba legal to buy?

It's on prohibited or restricted lists in Washington, Wisconsin and Michigan. California rates it a quarantine pest; Minnesota regulates it. Never release it outdoors.

Gear for Cabomba

PlantLive Cabomba. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA planted-tank LED. Cabomba needs at least medium light.Find on Amazon →FertilizerA liquid fertilizer for plants that feed from the water.Find on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, AquariumSetup earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options.

Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Where growers disagree, we show the full range. Last reviewed 2026-10-17.

flowgrow.de /db/aquaticplants/cabomba-caroliniana-var-caroliniana
cms.agr.wa.gov /WSDAKentico/Documents/Pubs/AGR7-2507-041-ProhibitedPlantList.pdf
dnr.wisconsin.gov /sites/default/files/topic/Invasives/nr40lists.pdf
michigan.gov /invasives/id-report/prohibitedrestricted
pi.cdfa.ca.gov /ipc/weedDB/thumbs1156/cat_thumbs1156-1.htm
dnr.state.mn.us /invasives/laws.html