Echinodorus ozelot leopard – Red (5cm Pot) Care Guide

Echinodorus ozelot leopard – Red is a stunning variety of Amazon Sword, known for its distinctive red and green patterned leaves. It’s an eye-catching plant that can add vibrant color to your aquarium. Here’s a quick care list for this beautiful species:

Care Requirements:

• Tank Size: Best suited for medium to large aquariums (20 gallons or more). It works well as a background plant due to its size.
• Lighting: Moderate to high light. Bright light helps bring out the red coloration, while low light may cause the plant to remain mostly green and grow more slowly.
• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F). This plant thrives in tropical water conditions.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5. Slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal.
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (4–12 dGH).
• Substrate: Prefers a nutrient-rich substrate like aquasoil, fine gravel, or sand. Ensure the substrate is deep enough (2–3 inches) to support the plant’s root system.
• CO2 Requirement: CO2 supplementation is not necessary but beneficial for faster growth and more vibrant colors, especially under high light conditions.

Key Tips:

• Pruning: Regularly remove older or damaged leaves to encourage new, healthy growth. Pruning can also help manage the size of the plant.
• Fertilization: Use liquid fertilizers or root tabs to provide essential nutrients, especially iron, potassium, and other micronutrients.
• Water Flow: Prefers moderate water flow. Avoid strong currents that could uproot the plant.
• Propagation: This plant propagates via runners, which can be separated and replanted to create new plants.

Echinodorus ozelot leopard – Red is a beautiful, hardy plant that adds both color and texture to your aquarium with the right care. Ensure it gets enough light, nutrients, and space, and it will thrive in your tank.