Plant comparison
Amazon Sword vs Echinodorus 'Ozelot'
How the Amazon Sword and Echinodorus 'Ozelot' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Amazon Sword vs Echinodorus 'Ozelot'
The Amazon Sword and the Echinodorus 'Ozelot' are close cousins, both in the Echinodorus group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Amazon Sword rewards a bit more attention. In a low-tech, low-light setup the Amazon Sword is the safer bet; the other really wants brighter light to look its best.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Amazon Sword22–28 °C
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'22–28 °C
pH
- Amazon Sword6.5–7.5
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'6–7.5
Hardness
- Amazon Sword3–18 dGH
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'5–20 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAmazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachii |  PlantEchinodorus 'Ozelot'Echinodorus 'Ozelot' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Brazil | Cultivar (South American parentage) |
| Family | Alismataceae | Alismataceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–18 | 5–20 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 40–50 cm | 25–50 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Medium |
| CO₂ | Optional | Optional |
| Growth rate | Medium to Fast | Medium |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Amazon Sword and Echinodorus 'Ozelot' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Amazon Sword or the Echinodorus 'Ozelot'?
The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Amazon Sword leans beginner-friendly.
Do Amazon Sword and Echinodorus 'Ozelot' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Amazon Sword and the Echinodorus 'Ozelot'?
Placement and light. The Amazon Sword works as background, the Echinodorus 'Ozelot' as background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.