Echinodorus quadricostatus

Echinodorus quadricostatus is a petite South American species named for the four prominent longitudinal ribs visible on its narrow, upright leaves. It occupies the shallow littoral zones of rivers and temporary pools from Venezuela through Brazil, where it forms dense colonies in sandy or muddy substrate. In the aquarium it stays compact at 10–20 cm, spreading at a good pace via horizontal runners to colonise the foreground.

The four-ribbed texture of its leaves gives it a slightly more structured appearance than other chain swords, and the pale- to mid-green colouration is clean and bright under aquarium lighting. It is tolerant of a wide range of water chemistry and does not require CO2 injection, making it accessible to low-tech tank owners seeking an attractive foreground plant.

E. quadricostatus is often confused with E. bolivianus and E. tenellus in the trade, but can be distinguished by its slightly wider leaves and the characteristic four-ribbed venation visible when held to the light. It is an excellent choice for mid-tech and low-tech planted aquariums.

Light: Medium (30–55 PAR); compact and dense under higher light. CO2: Not required; CO2 speeds up colonisation noticeably. Fertilisation: Root tabs placed every 12–15 cm; liquid iron and trace elements weekly. Placement: Foreground; plant starter rosettes 5–8 cm apart; runners fill gaps within 4–6 weeks. Propagation: Severs runners between daughter plants once each has 3+ leaves and independent roots.