Ozelot sword
Echinodorus Ozelot
Also known asLeopard sword · Spotted sword
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: nutrient preferred. Propagation: adventitious plantlets on flower stalks.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
| Dirted tank (mineralized topsoil) (DIY soil substrate) | slightly acidic | very high |
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
With fish
Origin and habitat
A hybrid cultivar created by crossing Echinodorus schluteri with E. barthii (or related species, depending on the source). Not found in the wild. The Ozelot sword is distinguished by its attractive red-brown spotting on a green leaf base, a pattern that gives it the 'ozelot' (ocelot) name. The spots are most vivid on newer leaves and under moderate to high light. Several variants exist: 'Green Ozelot' (green base with brown spots), 'Red Ozelot' (reddish base with darker spots), and various unnamed intermediate forms. One of the most popular Echinodorus hybrids in the aquarium trade because of the distinctive patterning, manageable size (smaller than a full Amazon sword), and moderate care requirements.
Care notes
One of the most popular Echinodorus hybrids. Heavy root feeder; needs root tabs or a nutrient-rich substrate to develop properly. Without root nutrition, leaves stay small and lose the characteristic spotting pattern. Plant the crown at substrate level with roots buried. Moderate lighting is ideal; under very low light, the spots fade and the plant becomes uniformly green. Under high light with CO2, the spots intensify and new leaves emerge with vivid red-brown markings. Iron supplementation through root tabs supports the red pigmentation in the spots. Mature size is smaller than a standard Amazon sword (20–35 cm tall), making it more suitable for medium-sized tanks (80 L). Propagation is by adventitious plantlets on flower stalks, same as other swords. The plant sends up runners that produce small plantlets; detach and replant once they have 4-5 leaves and visible roots. Trim older outer leaves as they age and yellow. CO2 is not required but improves growth rate and color intensity. In low-tech setups, Ozelot swords do well with root tabs and moderate light, producing steady if slower growth. The Ozelot is generally hardier and more compact than a standard Amazon sword, making it a better choice for medium-sized tanks (80–200 L) where a full Amazon sword would be too dominant. Compatible with most community fish; the tough leaves resist damage from all but the most determined plant-eaters.