Echinodorus Tenellus - ADA TC

Echinodorus Tenellus a.k.a Helanthium tenellum – ADA Tissue Culture

Echinodorus tenellus, commonly known as Pygmy Chain Sword, is a popular foreground plant perfect for creating a lush, grassy carpet in the aquarium. Its small, grass-like leaves make it an excellent choice for both beginner and advanced aquascapers. This plant spreads rapidly through runners, filling the tank with bright green foliage. Packaged in an ADA Tissue Culture, this plant arrives free of pests, algae, and contaminants, ensuring a healthy start in your aquarium.

Detailed Care Guide:

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: Moderate to high lighting is required for Echinodorus tenellus to thrive and spread properly. Low light may cause slower growth and a more elongated, less compact appearance.

• CO2: While it can survive without CO2 injection, CO2 supplementation will significantly improve its growth rate, help keep its form compact, and encourage faster runner propagation.

• Substrate: A nutrient-rich substrate, such as ADA Aqua Soil, will provide the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and rapid runner spread. If using an inert substrate like sand or gravel, consider root tabs to provide necessary nutrients to the plant's roots.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
  • pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral is preferred)
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2 – 15 dGH)

Tissue Culture Preparation and Planting:

1. Opening the Tissue Culture Container:

   • Carefully open the ADA Tissue Culture container. Inside, you'll find the plant surrounded by a nutrient-rich gel, which keeps it healthy during transport.

2. Rinsing the Plant:

   • Gently remove the plant from the container and thoroughly rinse it under lukewarm water to remove all traces of the gel. It's important to ensure no gel remains, as it can contribute to water quality issues in the aquarium.

3. Dividing the Plant:

   • After rinsing, divide the plant into smaller portions. Tissue cultures often contain multiple small plantlets, which can be separated and spread across the aquarium to encourage even carpeting.

4. Planting:

   • Foreground Placement: Using aquascaping tweezers, insert the small plantlets into the substrate in your aquarium's foreground. Ensure that the roots are securely buried while leaving the crown (where the leaves begin) above the substrate.
   • Spacing: Plant the individual portions about 1-2 inches apart to allow room for the plant to propagate and spread across the aquarium through runners.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast-growing when provided with sufficient light, CO2, and nutrients. Echinodorus tenellus spreads through runners, which send out new plantlets that form dense carpets over time.

• Trimming: Regular trimming of older or excess growth helps maintain a neat, compact appearance. Once the plant starts to spread via runners, you can cut and replant any overgrown sections to keep your carpet dense and even.

• Fertilization: For optimal growth, especially when not using a nutrient-rich substrate, provide regular doses of liquid fertilizers that contain essential macronutrients (NPK: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and micronutrients, such as iron. Root tabs are also beneficial if planted in inert substrates.

Special Considerations:

• Carpeting Effect: Given enough light and nutrients, Echinodorus tenellus will spread rapidly and form a dense, grassy carpet over the aquarium's foreground. This makes it an excellent plant for Iwagumi or Nature-style aquascapes, where a lush, green foreground is desired.

• Propagation: This plant primarily spreads through runners. As it sends out these horizontal runners, new plantlets will emerge along them. If the runners grow too densely, they can be trimmed and replanted to maintain even spacing.

• Versatility: Echinodorus tenellus can be used in a variety of aquascaping styles. It’s great for filling in empty spaces in the foreground, and it can also be used around rock or wood hardscapes to create a more natural and cohesive look.

• Color Variation: Under high light, the leaves of Echinodorus tenellus may develop a reddish or bronze hue, adding depth and contrast to the aquascape. In lower light, the leaves tend to stay bright green.

Challenges:

• Light Sensitivity: In low-light conditions, Echinodorus tenellus can become leggy and may not carpet as effectively. This can be managed by providing medium to high light and ensuring regular trimming to encourage compact growth.

• Algae Growth: Because it requires higher light for optimal growth, you should maintain a balanced nutrient regimen to prevent algae outbreaks. Regular water changes, CO2 injection, and balanced fertilization will help reduce the risk of algae growth on the leaves.

Summary:

Echinodorus tenellus, also known as Pygmy Chain Sword, is an ideal choice for aquarists seeking to create a vibrant green carpet in their aquarium. Packaged in an ADA Tissue Culture, this plant arrives in perfect condition, free of pests and contaminants, making it ready for immediate planting. With its fast-growing nature and ability to propagate through runners, it’s an excellent choice for foreground placement in aquascapes. Follow proper care and preparation, and Echinodorus tenellus will thrive, adding beauty and texture to your aquarium setup.