Echinodorus opacus
Echinodorus × opacus Rataj
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Planting & care
- PlacementMidground
- Growth typeRosette plant
- LightMedium
- CO2None
- Height2–3.9" (5–10 cm)
About this plant
Echinodorus opacus is a compact, slow-growing sword plant from southeastern Brazil with firm, dark green leaves arranged in a low rosette. The small aquarium form commonly sold as Echinodorus opacus 'Rataj' is usually maintained at about 5 to 10 cm and is best placed in the midground, although it can appear farther forward in a tall aquarium. Its nomenclature overlaps with Echinodorus × portoalegrensis in botanical treatments, but aquarium references commonly distinguish the cultivated forms, so portoalegrensis is not used here as a direct trade alias. Medium light is suitable, and injected carbon dioxide is not required. Because growth is slow, keep the rosette free from shading and accumulated debris. Propagation may occur through plantlets on inflorescences, rhizome division or separated daughter plants. Its restrained size and textured dark foliage make it a distinctive specimen for compact planted layouts.
Quick specs
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- CO₂
- None
- Temperature
- 64–75°F (18–24°C)
- Placement
- Midground
- Growth type
- Rosette plant
- Aquarium suitability
- Suitable for aquariums Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
- Approx. height
- 2–3.9" (5–10 cm)
Water conditions
Plant reference ranges, not dosing instructions or measurements from your aquarium. Consider livestock needs and measured conditions.
- Temperature
- 64–75°F (18–24°C)
- pH
- 5–7
- Carbonate hardness
- 0–10 °dKH
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Propagation
- proliferating inflorescences, rhizome division and daughter plants
- Color
- Green
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Echinodorus opacus
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
Substrate
A suitable substrate or targeted root nutrition can support this plant's growth habit.
Calculate how much substrate you needTaxonomy
- Major group
- Angiosperms
- Family
- Alismataceae
- Genus
- Echinodorus
- Botanical name
- Echinodorus × opacus Rataj
