Red Cabomba – Cabomba piauhyensis Aquarium Plant

Red Cabomba (Cabomba piauhyensis) is a striking aquarium stem plant known for its finely divided, fan-shaped foliage and beautiful reddish to purple colouration. Its delicate leaves create a soft, feathery appearance, making it an excellent choice for adding both colour and fine texture to planted aquariums.

Appearance
Cabomba piauhyensis develops distinctive fan-shaped leaves made up of numerous fine segments, giving the plant its characteristic feathery appearance. Colouration can range from green and bronze through to rich red and reddish-purple depending on growing conditions.

When planted in groups, the closely spaced foliage creates an impressive, bushy display that contrasts particularly well against bright green aquarium plants.

Lighting & Growth
Red Cabomba performs best under medium to high lighting. Stronger light helps encourage compact growth and more intense red colouration.

CO₂ supplementation is highly recommended for achieving healthy, vigorous growth, particularly when aiming for its best colour and form. A consistent supply of macro and micronutrients will also help maintain healthy foliage.

Under suitable conditions it is a relatively fast-growing plant and will benefit from regular trimming.

How to Use
Cabomba piauhyensis is best suited to the midground or background, depending on aquarium size. Plant individual stems with a little space between them to allow light and water circulation around the delicate lower foliage.

Once the stems become too tall, simply trim the healthiest upper sections and replant them into the substrate to maintain a dense, attractive group.

Aquarium Plant Key Information:

• Scientific Name: Cabomba piauhyensis

• Common Name: Red Cabomba

• Type: Stem Plant

• Difficulty: Medium

• Growth Rate: Moderate–Fast

• Placement: Midground / Background

• Height: Approximately 20–50cm+

• Light: Medium–High

• CO₂: Recommended

• Colour: Green / Bronze / Red to Reddish-Purple

• Origin: South America
  

Why choose Red Cabomba?

• Beautiful red to reddish-purple colouration

• Delicate fan-shaped foliage

• Adds extremely fine texture to an aquascape

• Creates an impressive bushy display when grouped

• Excellent contrast against bright green plants

• Ideal for colourful planted aquariums

• Easily propagated from healthy stem cuttings

Tip: For the strongest red colouration and compact growth, provide good lighting, stable CO₂ and consistent nutrition. Avoid positioning Red Cabomba in heavily shaded areas, as the lower foliage can deteriorate when insufficient light reaches it.