{"product_id":"echinodorus-ozelot-green","title":"Echinodorus Ozelot Green","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEchinodorus 'Ozelot Green' is the spotted sword that draws the eye — fresh green leaves scattered with darker speckles, like dappled shade caught in the tank. It grows into a generous rosette for the midground or background and is about as easy as feature plants come. A hardy, forgiving choice with real character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ozelot swords are cultivated hybrids (a cross of Echinodorus schlueteri and E. barthii) rather than wild plants, but the genus comes from the marshes and slow waters of tropical South America, where swords grow emersed on wet mud through the dry season. That heritage explains their love of warm, nutrient-rich substrate. Stock is typically nursery-grown emersed, so the first submerged leaves may look a touch different as it settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHealthy leaves are broadly lanceolate and green, marked with darker chocolate-brown spotting that is bolder on new growth. In the aquarium it commonly reaches 30–50 cm tall with a broad spread, forming a full rosette. The portion sold is a young plant that will size up substantially over a few months. Emersed-grown leaves can melt back after planting — expect a settling-in period before sturdier submerged leaves take over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground to background plant in medium and large tanks, or a standalone centrepiece. Plant it in the substrate with plenty of room so lower leaves keep good light and flow. Trimming is minimal — just remove old or damaged leaves at the base as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove the pot and tease away rockwool before planting. Bury the roots but leave the crown just proud of the substrate to avoid rot. It reproduces prolifically by adventitious plantlets on flower stalks (runners\/“arrows”); once these root and leaf out, snip them off and replant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEasy under moderate lighting. CO2 is not required but encourages faster, denser growth. A heavy root feeder — use root tabs and a nutrient-rich substrate for the best spotting and size, with liquid fertiliser as a supplement. Comfortable at 22–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard water. Growth is moderate; wipe or trim older leaves if slow-growth algae appears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEchinodorus 'Ozelot Green' (E. schlueteri × E. barthii)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen Ozelot Sword\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultivated hybrid (genus native to tropical South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required (beneficial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (heavy root feeder) plus liquid fertiliser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdventitious plantlets on flower stalks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunity tanks, larger aquascapes, low-tech setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine with the great majority of community fish — tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, gouramis, corydoras and other catfish, plus shrimp. The tough leaves are generally ignored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDedicated herbivores and diggers — silver dollars, large goldfish, uaru and many big cichlids — will tear or uproot it. Don't bury the crown, and avoid very cold or nutrient-starved tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55281672323363,"sku":null,"price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/echinodorus-ozelot-green.jpg?v=1782732805","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/echinodorus-ozelot-green","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}