Echinodorus Ozelot
Plant Profile
Echinodorus 'Ozelot' is a striking hybrid sword plant bred by crossing Echinodorus schlueteri 'Leopard' with Echinodorus barthii. Renowned for its distinctive spotted pattern, it produces broad, oval-shaped leaves decorated with deep red to dark brown blotches reminiscent of an ocelot's wild coat. Under moderate lighting, new leaves unfurl in warm brownish-red, gold, or olive tones before maturing into a rich green while retaining their signature dark speckling. Growing between 8 and 18 inches tall, it acts as a bold midground centerpiece in larger tanks or a sprawling background anchor in medium aquariums. Ozelot sword plants can grow emersed or submerged, with emersed plants sometimes producing small white flowers above the surface.
Key Features & Notes
- Distinct dark red and brown blotches create a bold, leopard-like spotted pattern across the foliage.
- New leaves emerge in vibrant gold, pink, and bronze tones before settling into a rich green base.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Plant the roots deeply into your aquarium soil, keeping the crown of the plant resting just above the substrate line to prevent rot.
- All Echinodorus are heavy root feeders that rely on rich substrate nutrition; placing root tabs near the base supports steady, healthy leaf development.
- Supplemental CO2 injection accelerates growth and enhances color contrast, though the plant will still grow reliably in low-tech setups.
- Maintain stable water parameters to prevent leaf shedding during the initial transition period.
- Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions; please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Echinodorus 'Ozelot' |
| Common Name(s) | Ozelot Sword, Spotted Sword Plant |
| Family | Alismataceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Rosette plant / Hybrid Cultivar |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Moderate |
| CO2 Requirement | Not required (Optional) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Centerpiece / Background Accent |
| Height / Size | 8–18+ inches |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0–8.0 |
| Propagation Method | Separate new plantlets from adventitious shoots or root crown |
| Origin | Cultivated hybrid (E. schlueteri 'Leopard' x E. barthii) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I keep the dark spots visible on my Ozelot Sword leaves?
Provide moderate lighting and steady root nutrition via root tabs or nutrient-rich soil. If light levels are too low, new leaves will grow out mostly solid green with less noticeable dark brown spotting.
2. Does Echinodorus 'Ozelot' require CO2 to maintain its colorful spotted leaves?
No, pressurized CO2 is not required. While CO2 injection accelerates growth and sharpens contrast, this hybrid grows vigorously in low-tech aquariums provided its heavy root-feeding requirements are met.
3. How does the Ozelot Sword differ from the Ozelot Red variant?
The standard Ozelot Sword features olive-to-bright green leaves with dark spots and warm brownish-red young foliage, whereas the Ozelot Red variant displays much darker, deeper brownish-red foliage overall with dark red splotches.