Aquarium plant

Echinodorus opacus

Echinodorus × opacus Rataj

MidgroundRosette plant

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Plant overview

Echinodorus opacus grows as a rosette plant and fits midground planting. Care: medium care, medium light, none CO₂.

Recorded water ranges cover temperature 18–24 °C, pH 5–7, KH 0–10 °dKH.

Planting & care

PlacementMidground
GrowthRosette plant
LightMedium
CO2None
Height5–1 cm

Water conditions

Temperature: 18–24 °C
pH: 5–7
Carbonate hardness: 0–10 °dKH

Growth & placement

Growth rate: Slow
Color: green

Taxonomy

Major group: Angiosperms
Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Echinodorus
Botanical name: Echinodorus × opacus Rataj

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.