Micro Sword Potted

Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis sp.)

Appearance & Growth

Create a fresh green meadow in your aquarium with Micro Sword. Its short, narrow blades bring a grass-like texture to open substrate and soften the base of rocks and driftwood. Once established in suitable conditions, creeping growth connects small plantlets into a developing carpet where shrimp can explore and graze.

Size & Placement

Best suited to the foreground or small grassy accents between hardscape pieces. Height and spreading speed vary with the variety and growing conditions. Keep it clear of overhanging plants so light reaches the aquarium floor, and allow time for planted portions to fill the gaps.

Compatible Tankmates

• Small, peaceful community fish such as tetras and rasboras
• Dwarf shrimp, which graze biofilm among the blades
• Plant-safe snails such as nerites
• Avoid: vigorous diggers and plant-eating fish that can uproot new portions or disturb a developing carpet

Planted-Tank Role

Micro Sword creates a natural grassy foreground and a soft transition around hardscape. Its spreading growth gradually fills open areas while providing grazing surfaces for small invertebrates. A healthy carpet complements filtration and regular maintenance, but still needs gentle debris removal to stay clean.

Lighting & Nutrition

• Lighting: moderate to high aquarium lighting reaching the substrate supports denser growth and spreading. Shaded areas may remain sparse.
• Photoperiod: start with 6–8 hours daily and adjust to plant response and algae growth.
• Root nutrition: use a nutrient-rich aquarium substrate or root tabs according to their label when growing in plain sand or gravel.
• Fertilizer: a complete aquarium plant fertilizer can supplement available nutrients.
• CO2: injection can greatly improve growth and carpeting. Without it, establishment is generally slower and results depend on the overall setup.
• Balance light with nutrients and available carbon rather than increasing light alone to force growth.

Water Conditions

• Maintain stable freshwater aquarium conditions and avoid abrupt changes in temperature or chemistry.
• Provide circulation across the foreground without dislodging newly planted portions.
• Gently remove trapped debris to prevent buildup within the carpet.
• Watch for fresh blades and spreading runners as signs of establishment.

Planting Guidance

• Remove any pot and packing wool carefully. If supplied as tissue culture, rinse away the growing gel.
• Divide into small rooted portions rather than planting one dense clump.
• Use planting tweezers to space portions approximately 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) apart.
• Anchor the roots in the substrate while keeping green blades and growing points exposed.
• Handle connecting growth gently and allow roots to establish before disturbing the planting area.

Trimming & Propagation

• Trim established growth lightly with sharp aquascaping scissors as needed to keep the foreground tidy.
• Remove damaged or deteriorating blades and collect loose clippings promptly.
• Allow creeping runners to fill open spaces, or separate well-rooted sections and replant them elsewhere.
• Thin crowded patches carefully to improve circulation and limit debris buildup.
• Some older foliage may decline during adjustment. Remove decaying material and monitor for healthy new growth.
• Dispose of unwanted plants and trimmings in household waste, never in outdoor waterways.