Melon Sword

Echinodorus osiris

📍 South America

Melon Sword is a medium-sized stem plant with distinctive reddish-brown to burgundy coloration on its leaves, particularly under high light. It features broad, elongated leaves with prominent veining and grows in a compact, bushy form. This plant is moderately easy to care for and makes an excellent midground specimen.

Tank Mates

Amano Shrimp

Non-destructive, helps control algae on leaves, peaceful

excellent

Ember Tetra

Small, peaceful community fish that won't uproot or damage plants

excellent

Otocinclus

Algae eater that grazes on plant surfaces without causing damage

excellent

Dwarf Gourami

Peaceful mid-water swimmer, minimal plant disturbance

good

Corydoras Sterbai

Bottom dweller that won't uproot or damage midground plants

excellent

Common Diseases

Leaf Melt

Symptoms

Leaves become translucent, mushy, and dissolve; typically occurs during transition from emersed to submersed growth

Treatment

Trim affected leaves, ensure stable water parameters, maintain consistent lighting and temperature; plant will recover with new submersed growth

Iron Deficiency

Symptoms

Yellowing of new leaves while veins remain green; stunted growth and pale coloration

Treatment

Dose with liquid iron fertilizer or all-in-one fertilizer containing iron; ensure adequate lighting to promote nutrient uptake

Algae on Leaves

Symptoms

Green spot algae, black beard algae, or hair algae coating leaf surfaces; reduces photosynthesis

Treatment

Manually remove algae with soft brush; increase water circulation; reduce lighting duration; add algae-eating fauna like Amano Shrimp or Otocinclus

Nutrient Deficiency

Symptoms

Slow growth, pale or yellowing leaves, loss of red coloration despite adequate lighting

Treatment

Dose with comprehensive fertilizer containing macronutrients (NPK) and micronutrients; ensure substrate contains nutrients or use root tabs; maintain moderate CO2

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Quick Facts

co2: recommended
lighting: medium
placement: midground
substrate: Root feeder; benefits from nutrient-rich aquasoil or gravel with root tabs; can also absorb nutrients from water column
growth rate: medium