Echinodorus andrieuxii (Echinodorus andrieuxii) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Echinodorus subalatus (current name), Aquarius subalatus, Echinodorus intermedius, Echinodorus martii
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Cuba, Mexico, Central America, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
120 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Strong light; CO2 recommended

Care

Echinodorus andrieuxii is now treated as a synonym of Echinodorus subalatus. Wikipedia now follows a 2018 revision that moves most swords out of Echinodorus into the genus Aquarius, so you will also see the name below. It grows in mud at the edges of streams from Mexico and Cuba to Paraguay. Leaf blades are typically 18–24 cm long and 2–9 cm wide, and stems reach 35–120 cm; plants on land stay much smaller, about 10 x 2 cm. It can be grown submerged or emersed. It is a large plant for the background of a big tank, and needs a deep, rich substrate, strong light and extra CO2. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusandrieuxii); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Submerged plants send up flower stems that form plantlets instead of flowers; let these root, then cut them free and plant them. Large plants can also be divided at the rhizome. Emersed plants kept humid may flower and set seed, which can be sown on damp sand in warmth.

Compatibility and tank mates

Sword leaves are fairly tough, but large cichlids, goldfish and other diggers may uproot young plants or chew soft new leaves; root them well. Good with tetras, angelfish, discus and other tropical community fish. Snails may graze old leaves.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.