Red amazon sword (Echinodorus osiris) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Aquarius uruguayensis, Echinodorus uruguayensis, Echinodorus horemanii, Echinodorus opacus, Echinodorus viridis
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
18–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Good light; added CO2 helps

Care

Echinodorus osiris, sold as the red amazon sword, is listed by Wikipedia as a synonym of Aquarius uruguayensis (formerly Echinodorus uruguayensis), a sword plant of the water-plantain family from southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile. The page key keeps the listed name. Many former Echinodorus species have recently been moved to the genus Aquarius. Under water it forms a rosette of ribbon-shaped to narrow leaves from about 5 cm up to 50 cm long; land leaves are rare. The flower stems carry two to six whorls of white flowers about 1–1.5 cm across and can produce plantlets. Wikipedia says it is only occasionally available, and some plants sold under these names may not be this species. It does well submerged, tolerates a range of water conditions and is happy at subtropical temperatures, slightly cooler than many tropical tanks. Give it a nutrient-rich substrate, good light and, ideally, added CO2. It grows slowly. Use it as a midground to background plant in medium to large tanks. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. The temperature range reflects its subtropical home. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusosiris); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Propagated by dividing the rhizome, though it grows slowly. It flowers readily when grown emersed (make the change from submerged to emersed growth gradually), and the flower stems can produce plantlets that can be rooted.

Compatibility and tank mates

The leaves are tough and most fish and snails leave them alone. Large cichlids and goldfish may dig the plant up while it is rooting, so weigh the base down with stones at first. Suits tropical community tanks; the large leaves give shy fish cover. Its liking for slightly cooler water suits tanks kept at the lower end of tropical temperatures.

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

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