Aquarium Plants: Amazon Sword (Echinodorus Bleheri)
Commonly known as the Amazon Sword Plant, the Echinodorus bleheri or its less commonly available cousin Echinodorus amazonicus, is among the more common aquarium plants available.
Not surprising considering they are sturdy, easy to maintain and can grow pretty big as well. This also makes them rather suitable for the budding aquarist. The leaves are broad and rise up straight from the roots. A single plant can have upto 30 leaves with each leaf reaching a height of upto 50 cm and a width of 8 cm. The leaves are pretty sturdy, and healthy plants develop a bright to dark green coloration.
Since they can be rather big, they can serve as good center pieces for your aquarium. They also produce a fair amount of oxygen, and their roots bind a far amount of organic waste.
The plant is rather easy to grow, and is not very light demanding as well. It tends to go well, even if given medium light. It is best cultivated in large tanks with medium hard water at temperatures around 20ºC. If you see the leaves turning yellow, you should put in some aquarium fertilizer containing chelated iron.
Fishy facts
Common Name: Amazon Sword
Proper Name: Echinodorus amazonicus (commonly available variant is Echinodorus bleheri)
Category: Echinodorus
Height: Upto 50 cm
Temperature: 20 – 28 C
PH: 6.0 – 7.6 (adapts to both soft and hard water)
Substrate: Gravel. Needs iron
Lighting: Medium, works even with diffused light.
Care: Easy to Moderate
Origin: Brazil
Must reads:
Why Do My Aquarium Plants Die?
Glossary – Activated Carbon
What Is Ich, And How To Keep Your Aquarium Ich Free
Should I Feed My Fish Live Food Or Freeze Dried Food?
