If it is happening in the new leaves, it is most likely a calcium deficiency. This can either be because of the hardness of water KH and GH. It can be safely treated by increasing the general hardness of your water through additives. A boron deficiency can exhibit similar symptoms to calcium deficiency, producing leaves that are wrinkled and bent towards the stem. Since Boron is considered a micronutrient, products that focus on micronutrients, like the ones from Seachem, can help you out with that.
One is that there are fish in the tank that likes to munch on the leaves. Though the holes produced by fish are not as perfectly circular as the ones caused by a deficiency. Deficiency of potassium is the most probable cause of the holes in leaves. These holes become larger over time and are sometimes accompanied by the curling of leaves. Potassium is a macronutrient that aquatic plants need in a relatively larger amount.
Make sure to either pick root tabs enriched in potassium or add it in powder form in the water. Amazon Swords and Rotting Roots The problem of rotting roots can stem from the fact that the plant is buried too deep. The hole you should make in your substrate for your Amazon Sword should be enough to bury the roots, but only the roots. The crown, where roots turn to stem, should be at the surface of the substrate. Burying the crown can make the plant rot. Phosphorus deficiency can also contribute to the rotting roots.
Phosphorus is a macronutrient needed by Amazon Sword and other aquatic plants. Another sign of phosphorus deficiency would be the growth of the spot algae in the fish tank. When this happens, a phosphorous rich root tab or additive should be introduced in the water to revitalize the plants. It is seen a lot of times that an Amazon Sword plant, which was thriving in another place, does not grow when placed in a new fish tank. Rather than growing, the plant starts to show the signs of decay.
Or sometimes even a healthy Amazon Sword just stops growing. It could be the adjustment period for a newly planted Amazon Sword. In this case, a few well-rounded root tabs can be placed in the substrate to aid with this adjustment period. Just make sure that the root tab you choose is packed with a good assortment of macro and micronutrients. The absence of an important nutrient, low carbon dioxide or insufficient light can also result in stunted growth.
Flourish root tabs are seen to induce the best growth spurt. Proper plantation of the Amazon Swords is also important. They are heavy root feeders, so treating them like other aquatic plants that get all their nutrients from the water columns is a mistake. Most necessary nutrients for Amazon Swords are provided through the substrate. The substrate should also be thick enough to accommodate the roots and proper grip of the plant. In most cases, the substrate layer should at least be 2.
It is recommended that you cut out the dying leaves, and provide some root tabs to provide the plant with a nutritional boost. If a healthy Amazon Sword starts to die, it might be because of a drastic change in the fish tank conditions. Nutrient deficiencies mostly manifest in the shape of problems like the ones we discussed above. You may have pinholes, leaves turning brown or thinning, and roots rotting before the plant starts to die.
Another reason is that people tend to miss some of the basic requirements and instructions for the proper planting or care of Amazon Swords. Not enough substrate , too little or too much light, very soft water, less carbon dioxide, irregular pH and not enough space to grow. These are some of the factors that can cause the plant to wilt and eventually die.
Severe iron deficiency can also contribute to the decaying and eventual death of the plant. Iron deficiency initially manifests as blackening and eventual rotting of the leaves. Use of an overall substrate fertilizer , that contains iron as well, can help to fix the iron deficiency.
Final Thoughts Amazon Swords are classified as easy plants. It means they require minimal care that even novice fish keepers can provide. That said, remember too much light will encourage algae growth, therefore, leave your aquarium bulb on for not more than 12 hours per day. Also, consider using a moderate light source instead of a high light fixture. In addition to lighting, your Amazon sword also require nutrients in the tank water and substrate especially in a heavily planted aquarium.
The plant will draw most of the nutrients from the water, particularly nitrates and phosphates, while a rich substrate will help to maintain healthy growth. On the other hand, supplementation will feed the plant with nutrients that are not present in the water like Iron. Therefore, fertilize Amazon sword regularly with a root tab or put down a layer of fluorite sand or laterite under your substrate.
When choosing a substrate initially, go with a loose, rich option and remember to Amazon sword has a strong root system which requires a large amount of substrate to develop effectively. A brilliant hack that some aquarist use is to place two layers of substrate in the tank. The bottom layer is usually a rich and fine base that can support root development.
While the layer on top, mostly gravel, anchor the plants and improve the aesthetics of the aquarium floor. As far as water parameters in your planted aquarium go, Amazon sword is fairly adaptable meaning there is nothing much to worry about.
However, the plant is quite hardy and will handle a reasonable number of aggressive species though not as rough as Oscars, Jack Dempsey, and large cichlids. Fish that snack on live plants are not the best in tanks planted with Amazon sword especially when planted as a decorative element in your tank. Add Amazon sword in aquariums with fish that love heavily planted tanks like betta and gouramis. The numerous leaves also provide great cover for small fish trying to avoid bullies and young fry in danger of being consumed.
On top of that, Amazon sword does well with or without other plant companions. However, due to its large size and the possibility of outgrowing its designated space, you should consider putting it with smaller aquarium plants.
This is one of the reasons why this plant is good for beginners. An Amazon Sword can do well in community tank water conditions:. Aquarium pH: 6.
Water Temperature: Tropical fish range, 72 — 82 Degrees Fahrenheit. Lighting: Moderate to strong, and for between 10 — 12 hours per day. In low-tech tanks, an Amazon Sword Plant growth rate will be slow and steady once the plant gets accustomed to its new environment. But be mindful that Amazon Sword Plant can grow to be 12 inches in height. And under the right conditions, they can grow to be 18 to 20 inches, or more. So an Amazon Sword is a good plant for tanks with lots of height …like a 29 Gallon Aquarium, for example.
For smaller tanks like a 10 gallon aquarium, or tanks without much of height, the plant will require a lot of trimming, otherwise it can take over fast.
An Amazon Sword Plant is pretty resilient and can do pretty well planted in aquarium gravel, but loosely packed plant substrate is a better choice. Its roots will grow to be quite large and extensive, growing deep and wide throughout the tank. So make sure there is enough substrate depth to accommodate this soon-to-be very tall plant. When planting, make sure the plant roots are anchored well, but take care to not bury the crown.
The crown of the plant should be above the substrate and visible to the eye. Its not uncommon for some Amazon Sword leaves to begin to die soon after being added to a tank.
Just gently trim the dead or dying leaves at the stem from the bottom of the plant. You should also add a moderate lighting system to the tank for your plants, as they require a minimum of 10 hours of bright light every day. Add water to your tank and leave it flowing for a few days to ensure that everything is working accordingly. Using a test kit, test the water temperature, acidity, and hardness to ensure that water is at optimal conditions. Dig out small, deep holes in the substrate; the gap must be wide enough to accommodate your live aquarium plant root system.
Then put your live aquarium plant in the hole and put the mud back to cover the root. However, ensure that you do not cover tightly as it will prevent the plant from floating, and remember to leave the crown uncovered. Since Amazon Sword grows into a bushy plant, avoid placing it at the front as it will obscure your view, try putting it in the background.
This will give you the best view of your fish and other decorations in the tank. You must replicate your live aquarium plant native habitat water conditions and keep testing it to ensure that it is with the acceptable parameters.
Although Amazon Sword can survive in a wide range of water temperatures, the ideal temperature should range between 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants prefer neutral water of 7 pH, but a slight deviation in pH is acceptable, and should that happen, it should always be maintained between 6. This helps in maintaining the quality of water. Amazon Sword plant requires 10 hours of light for maximum growth.
So make sure to outfit your tank with a lighting system. You will need to use 3 watts per gallon. Take care not to provide too much light as it can be irritating to the fish and make the leaves susceptible to algae growth. This aquarium plant is easy to care for, thus suitable for beginner aquarists. But this does not mean that you neglect it; you still need to provide your live aquarium plant with proper care.
It is essential to provide the right tank size, water conditions, and nourishment to grow healthy and have a long life. Since it is a hardy plant, it does not need much, but please adhere to the following care and maintenance tips:. The propagation of the Amazon Sword plant is pretty easy.
The plant has a long maternal stem on which plantlets appear. After some time, the plantlets develop a root system and a couple of leaves. When this happens, please wait for a few days before they are ready for replanting. Then cut the stem and plant it in the tank. You can also plant it in another fish tank but always ensures that the substrates are the same so that it can adjust without too much hassle.
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