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Echinodorus (Ozelot) Sword

Echinodorus (Ozelot) Sword

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Amount: Rhizome

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$7.00

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Description
Aquatic Plants

Ozelot Sword

A hybrid Echinodorus cultivar with broad leaves marked by distinctive dark spots and blotches -- the only patterned sword plant in the catalog and the most visually unique large specimen plant available.

Dark Spots and Blotches on Every Leaf Individually Unique Leaf Patterning Mid-to-Large Specimen Plant Iron-Responsive Spot Intensity No CO2 Required Root Feeder

Ozelot Sword (Echinodorus 'Ozelot') is a hybrid Echinodorus cultivar selected for its distinctive spotted and mottled leaf patterning -- broad, olive-green to red-green leaves marked with dark brown to reddish spots and blotches across their surface that give it a dappled, leopard-like appearance unlike any other sword plant in the catalog. Where Red Flame Sword provides colour through uniform new-growth reddening and Golden Melon Sword through texture and warm tone, Ozelot provides patterning -- each leaf individually marked with spots and blotches in a distribution that varies from leaf to leaf and from plant to plant, making every specimen subtly unique. The spots are most vivid under medium to high light with adequate iron; under low light or iron deficiency the spotting fades to an uneven olive mottling rather than the clearly defined dark spots of a well-kept specimen. At full development it is a mid-to-large sword plant at a similar scale to Red Flame Sword -- a genuine midground-to-background specimen plant requiring space, root nutrition, and a tank large enough to accommodate it. Fully safe with all Neocaridina, Caridina, and snails.

Not RequiredCO2
72-82FTemperature
Med-HighLighting

Spotting, Scale and Growth

Dark spots and blotches on olive-green to reddish leaves -- each leaf individually marked -- the spot pattern on Ozelot Sword is the defining characteristic that no description fully prepares you for at the level of an individual leaf: each dark spot is clearly defined against the warmer-toned leaf base, distributed irregularly across the leaf face in a way that reads as biological rather than designed. The spot density varies between leaves -- some heavily spotted, others with only a few marks -- giving the plant a natural irregularity that makes it look genuinely patterned rather than artificially selected. Spot intensity responds to light and iron -- both required for vivid markings -- under medium to high light with consistent iron the spots are dark, saturated, and clearly defined against the leaf base. Under low light or iron deficiency the spots become pale and indistinct -- the spotting is present as a pattern in the leaf tissue but the contrast that makes it visually striking requires adequate light to drive pigmentation and consistent iron to sustain the dark colouration of the spot tissue specifically. Mid-to-large scale specimen -- same size class as Red Flame Sword -- at full development Ozelot Sword reaches 30-50cm in height with a rosette spread of 30-45cm -- a substantial midground-to-background specimen that suits tanks of 60 litres and above. In a tank with multiple sword plants, Ozelot provides the patterned leaf variation against which the solid-coloured Red Flame and warm-toned Golden Melon read as different expressions of the same genus. Roots deeply and feeds heavily through substrate -- root tabs placed at three to four positions around the planting site at introduction and renewed every three to four months are the most important maintenance action for sustaining spot intensity, leaf size, and overall vigour. In aquasoil the plant establishes without additional supplementation; in inert substrate root tabs are essential from the first day. Produces runners with daughter plants in established specimens -- a well-established Ozelot Sword produces runners that develop spotted daughter plants at intervals -- each daughter plant inheriting the characteristic spotting of the parent. Runner-produced daughter plants can be separated and replanted once they have developed their own root system and four or more leaves.

Getting Started

1Plant as a specimen with adequate surrounding space -- choose a midground or background position with 35-50cm of lateral clearance. Plant with roots spread outward in the substrate and the crown fractionally above the substrate surface. In a tank with other sword plants, position Ozelot where its spotted leaves are viewed against a plain green background rather than against other patterned plants that would compete visually.
2Place root tabs before planting -- push root tabs into the substrate at three to four points 6-8cm from the planting site before introducing the plant. Substrate nutrition from the start of planting produces earlier full-sized leaf development and faster establishment of the vivid spot contrast that defines this cultivar.
3Medium to high light with consistent iron dosing -- run the fixture at medium to high intensity and dose liquid fertiliser with chelated iron two to three times weekly from day one. The spot pigmentation requires both conditions simultaneously -- light for the contrast to read and iron for the dark pigment to develop in the spot tissue.
4Remove yellowing outer leaves and renew root tabs every three to four months -- as the plant grows its oldest outer leaves cycle out and yellow. Remove these cleanly at the petiole base. Push new root tabs into the substrate around the established root ball every three to four months to sustain the nutrient supply that drives continued large-leaf production and spot intensity.
Bonus Tip

Ozelot Sword positioned beside rather than in front of a plain-green background plant -- Vallisneria, Willow Hygro, or Amazon Sword -- creates the clearest possible backdrop for the spot pattern on its leaves. The spotted leaves of Ozelot read most vividly against a plain, contrasting background that has no competing patterning or colour variation of its own. A solid green wall of background stems immediately behind Ozelot provides exactly this -- the spots appear sharper, darker, and more distinctly defined against a uniform green backdrop than against a varied or mixed background.

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Browse more aquatic plants

Pair Ozelot Sword with Amazon Sword, Red Flame Sword, or Vallisneria for a complete planted layout. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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Aquatic plants

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Choosing your portions, using the plant promotion, and knowing what to expect when your plants arrive.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free: add all three

Choose three eligible plant items and add all three to your cart, including the plant you want free. The discount applies automatically at checkout; no code is needed. Adding only two items does not add a third plant for you.

Mix and match eligible varieties or choose multiple quantities of the same eligible plant. The least expensive eligible item is free. For example, with eligible items priced at $5, $8 and $10, the $5 item is discounted and the plant subtotal is $18 before shipping and tax.

The offer repeats for complete qualifying groups: three eligible items give one free, six give two free, and nine give three free. The current offer has no per-order use limit. Items must be included in the promotion; Plant Weights and other non-plant accessories do not qualify.

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Check the discount and quantities in your order summary before paying. Other promotions can affect the final discount; multiple product discounts do not stack on the same item. This is an online checkout offer, not an automatic in-store POS discount.

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Read this plant’s description and selected option for its sale format, portion size and any stated stem or plant count. A bunch, loose portion, rooted plant, bulb, cup and mounted plant are different products; there is no single size or count that applies to every plant we sell.

A mature height or spread describes potential growth in an aquarium, not the size shipped. Use the advertised purchase portion to plan your order. A full carpet, dense moss-covered surface or established group in a photograph may require several portions and time to grow.

Do not assume that a pot, planting weight, rock, wood, substrate or other display accessory is included unless the listing explicitly says it is. If the received portion appears different from the selected listing, photograph it with its packaging and contact us promptly.

Photos, color & natural variation

Photos illustrate the named plant or variety and its appearance. Living plants vary in leaf size, shape, root development, branching and fullness; a photo of an established specimen is not a measurement of each portion shipped. The product description and selected option remain the reference for your purchase.

Aquarium lighting, camera settings and the growing environment affect perceived color. Red or pink varieties can look different under different lighting and growing conditions. Do not use a photograph alone to select a plant’s care requirements or expect immediate mature coloration.

Above-water growth & the transition underwater

Some aquarium plants can grow with their leaves above water as well as submerged. These growth forms can have different leaf shapes and appearances. New underwater growth may look different from older leaves as the plant adjusts. This explanation does not mean every plant is supplied in the same growth form; follow any specific information in the listing.

Leaf loss or softening after a change of environment is often called melt. Look at the plant as a whole and its growing points rather than judging only one older leaf. Do not assume that a damaged plant is simply transitioning or wait for new growth before reporting an arrival problem.

This is background care information, not a new exclusion from the Live Arrival Guarantee. Arrival damage is assessed under the existing policy.

Planting: match the method to the plant

For stem plants, separate the stems and plant with room between them. For rosette plants, position the roots in the substrate without burying the crown. Remove transport bindings and growing material carefully where appropriate.

For Anubias and Java fern, keep the rhizome exposed rather than burying it. Moss can be divided into smaller portions and attached to suitable hardscape. Floating plants belong at the surface. Bulbs and tubers need species-specific planting depth; do not assume every type should be fully buried.

Keep plants damp while working. Follow the individual listing for placement and care, especially when a plant has unusual requirements. These are planting tips, not additional conditions for a claim.

Growth, tank conditions & choosing companions

Plan for the plant’s mature size, available light and the space it will occupy. A background stem plant, slow-growing rhizome plant and floating plant serve different roles; a purchase portion does not instantly create a finished aquascape.

Use the listing’s guidance on light, nutrients and carbon dioxide rather than assuming every plant needs the same setup. Growth rate and final appearance depend on aquarium conditions and maintenance. More light alone is not a substitute for a balanced setup.

Consider animals that dig, uproot or eat plants before choosing placement. Floating growth can shade plants below it, and fast-growing plants may need thinning. Observe new growth and make gradual, species-appropriate adjustments.

Hitchhikers & introducing plants

Our existing policy does not guarantee pest-free arrival. Plants can carry tiny organisms or eggs, including snail eggs, despite inspection. Inspect new plants before introduction, and consider separate observation or quarantine to protect an established aquarium.

Do not assume a plant is sterile, pesticide-free or safe for a particular treatment unless the listing explicitly provides that information. Sensitive leaves, mosses and roots can respond differently to dips. Research the exact plant and any treatment before using it; do not apply an animal medication or a strong dip by default.

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For damaged or dead plants, email support@superiorshrimpaquatics.com within two hours of the carrier’s recorded delivery time. Use the email address on the order and include all arrival concerns in your first message.

Send clear photographs of the affected plants and their packaging, with the shipping label or invoice visible for identification. Photograph packaging damage before unpacking or discarding materials, and consult the full guarantee’s documentation instructions. Keep the original photos.

The current guarantee covers aquatic plants but excludes promotional or free items. That existing exclusion also matters when ordering a free promotional plant. Claims and available resolutions are assessed under the full policy; this tab does not expand or reduce coverage.

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This tab explains the existing offer and policies alongside plant-care guidance. Care tips do not create new claim requirements or exclusions. Refer to the linked policies for complete terms.

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