Amazon Sword

The Echinodorus sp is commonly known as Amazon Sword and originated from South America. The perfect Aquarium to suit it must have a lighting of medium-bright and a temperature of 15-30oC (59-86oF). However, its required water chemistry is not critical and its substrate is plain gravel or sand. Although there are some species which will require a nutrient substrate or those 'root tabs' to thrive.

There are many species of the Amazon Sword but some of them have very similar appearance. However, it has one characteristic feature - when young its leaves are light green with dark spots in some places. This disappears though with age. The adult leaves are large and can grow up to about 40 cm in length and 10 in width. Another thing that will identify it is the way it breeds because it grows long stalks with a flowerlike tip. Some joints appear after some time within its stalk and then at least two or three young plants will start growing out of it. Its leaf stalks are quite too long, about 40 cm.

Be careful of this plant though for it is susceptible to hair algae or otherwise known as the ubiquitous brush algae or red algae (though it is black in appearance). This alga is very tough and grows in tufts. to get rid of it avoid overfeeding or fertilizing your plant and remove affected plant leaves without mercy. To do this you can try bleach treatment is you want to save it (5% bleach 2-3 min). Some plants like valisneria, ludwigia arcuata, penny wort, hygrophila sp. can easily be hurt by bleach. Fortunately, the Echinodorus is a little tougher especially because it has thicker leaves.  After dipping and rinsing them thoroughly, treat with chlorine neutralizer. Remove rocks, decorations and the likes and bleach treat them (25%) then dry thoroughly.

Finally, to grow these plants, take heed of your aquarium walls. Take time to treat it to some magnetic scraper & elbow grease. The magnetic scraper is often used regularly but let me acquaint you to elbow grease. Its that process of applying elbow great liberally to your elbows and then scrub away. You must also maintain a very high filtration during this time to remove floating algae debris that becomes loosened from the walls. A powerful canister type filter will help you much by having its inlet directed where you're scrubbing by a helper. This will surely do a good job.