PlantFiles: Anacharis, Canadian Elodea, American Waterweed, Oxygen Weed
Elodea canadensis

Have grown this about 30 years in aquariums. It does well in filtered or non-filtered aquariums. I had some growing so well for awhile I was trading for fish food at a pet store. I put some in smaller fish bowls with fighting fish, too, and it grew really well and probably oxygenated the water. You really don't need other plants if you use this one and it will do well in cold water, too. I stopped using my heater years ago because the fish I have don't need it...and this plant doesn't either. I also put in a few plants from our local lake and they grow well, but I have no idea what they are.

I use anacharis in my 20 gal aquarium instead of plastic plants. I found it very easy to grow, once I got the hang of correct lighting. My fish seem to like hiding in it and playing with the loose leaves that float around sometimes. I'd recommend this as a plant, even if you have a small aquarium...PLastic plants can be cute, but this real plant is VERY VERY beneficial to your small world.

While it looks quite similar to Egeria densa (also referred to as Anacharis), this North American native can be differentiated by its three leaves per whorl (the non-natives tend to have many more than three.)

It will overwinter as an evergreen in mild climates, but is cold hardy to zone 3, coming back in the spring. It provides a food source for young fish and frogs, and as such plays an important part in our wateways. It's also commonly found in aquariums.