Species guide
Amazon Sword Care Guide (Echinodorus)
Aquatic plant
Amazon swords (Echinodorus spp.) are the classic centerpiece rosette. They eat root tabs, throw huge leaves, and melt after a move. In a 10-gallon they become a lampshade. Plan 20+ gallons or pick a dwarf crypt.
- Rosette
- Root feeder
- Medium light
- Needs space
Quick facts
| Light | Medium; very high light → algae on old leaves |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Optional; speeds new leaves |
| Temp | 22–28 °C |
| Substrate | 4–6+ cm; aquasoil or sand + tabs |
| Planting | Crown at surface; do not bury |
| Size | Many types 30–50+ cm — check species |
| Melt | Common after shipping / parameter swing |
| Fert | Root tabs every 2–3 months + lean liquid |
Overview
A sword is not Anubias. It is a hungry rosette that wants substrate depth. Tiny pots from shops are starved. Plant out, tab the roots, expect old leaves to melt, wait for new ones from the crown.
Smaller rosette: Crypt wendtii. Background grass: Val. Easy epiphytes if the sword steals light: Anubias · Java fern. Beginner mix: 10 easy plants.
How to plant it
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Step 1
Use a tank that fits the adult size
20+ gal for a standard sword. Nanos get dwarf crypts, not E. grisebachii ‘Bleherae’.
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Step 2
Deep substrate + tabs under the roots
4–6 cm. Slide tabs beside, not through, the crown.
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Step 3
Crown at the surface
Buried crowns rot like val/crypts.
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Step 4
Leave melt alone for 2–3 weeks
Remove only translucent mush. New leaves from the center mean it took.
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Step 5
Do not let it shade the whole scape
Pull oldest outer leaves. Pair with stems on the sides, not under the canopy.
Common problems
All leaves melt after planting
Why: Emersed stock + move shock.
Fix: Keep crown; wait. New submerged leaves look different.
Holes in old leaves
Why: K / old tissue / snails.
Fix: Tabs + lean K. Remove worst leaves.
Tiny new leaves forever
Why: No tabs / tiny pot left on.
Fix: Unpot, plant out, tab.
GSA on leaf tops
Why: Too much light hours.
Fix: 6–7 h; wipe; check PO₄.
Tank mates
- Corys love the shaded sand under swords — cory care.
- Bettas rest on broad leaves — betta planted.
- Shrimp graze. Large cichlids shred.
- Do not combine with a full Monte Carlo carpet unless light still reaches the front.
Gear for this species
API Root Tabs Freshwater Aquarium Plant Fertilizer 10-Count Box
Viên phân gốc API — cây ăn rễ, bổ sung macro cho nền.
Landen Aqua Soil Substrate for Natural Planted Aquarium, Plant or Shrimp Stratum, Clay Gravel and Stable Porous Substrate for Freshwater Aquarium, Black Color 40lbs
Substrate vàng chuẩn Iwagumi / Nature Aquarium.
Cryptocoryne wendtii care — If you only have 10 gallons, buy a crypt, not a sword
FAQ
Which Amazon sword stays small?
Look for ‘parviflorus’, ‘quadricostatus’, or explicitly dwarf labels. ‘Bleherae’ does not stay small.
Do swords need CO₂?
No. Tabs + medium light grow them. CO₂ makes faster, larger leaves.
Can I keep it in gravel?
Yes with tabs. Soil is easier.
Brown transparent leaves after 4 days?
Normal melt. Wait on the crown.
Will it flower?
Sometimes emersed or very strong light. Not required for health.
Good with Vallisneria?
Yes as a mixed back/mid. Watch combined shade.
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