Helanthium zombiense (Helanthium zombiense) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Echinodorus zombiensis
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Jamaica and Guadeloupe (West Indies)
Water
freshwater
Care level
intermediate

Care

A small sword plant of the water-plantain family from Jamaica and Guadeloupe, formerly Echinodorus zombiensis. Wikipedia gives only its name and range, so its size and aquarium needs are not confirmed here. If you grow it, treat it like its relatives the pygmy chain sword and Bolivian sword: a foreground or midground plant for a rich substrate with moderate light and tropical temperatures. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helanthiumzombiense); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Relatives spread by runners; expect the same, but our sources do not confirm it.

Compatibility and tank mates

Small swords are generally left alone by fish; digging fish may uproot them.

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.