Plant comparison
Echinodorus 'Ozelot' vs Echinodorus 'Red Flame'
How the Echinodorus 'Ozelot' and Echinodorus 'Red Flame' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Echinodorus 'Ozelot' vs Echinodorus 'Red Flame'
The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' and the Echinodorus 'Red Flame' 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 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 Echinodorus 'Red Flame' rewards a bit more attention. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'22–28 °C
- Echinodorus 'Red Flame'22–28 °C
pH
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'6–7.5
- Echinodorus 'Red Flame'5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Echinodorus 'Ozelot'5–20 dGH
- Echinodorus 'Red Flame'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantEchinodorus 'Ozelot'Echinodorus 'Ozelot' |  PlantEchinodorus 'Red Flame'Echinodorus 'Red Flame' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Cultivar (South American parentage) | Selectively bred cultivar (South American parentage) |
| Family | Alismataceae | Alismataceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–20 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 25–50 cm | 25–50 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Light | Medium | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | Optional | Recommended |
| Growth rate | Medium | Medium |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Echinodorus 'Ozelot' and Echinodorus 'Red Flame' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 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 Echinodorus 'Ozelot' or the Echinodorus 'Red Flame'?
The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Echinodorus 'Red Flame' leans beginner-friendly.
Do Echinodorus 'Ozelot' and Echinodorus 'Red Flame' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 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 Echinodorus 'Ozelot' and the Echinodorus 'Red Flame'?
Placement and light. The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' works as background, the Echinodorus 'Red Flame' as background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.