Echinodorus 'Big Bear' is a large, hardy sword cultivar known for its broad, ruffled leaves and imposing presence — a strong centerpiece choice for bigger aquariums. Skill Level Easy CO2 Optional (recommended for best growth) Requires Aqua Soil Not required, but recommended — heavy root feeder Type Rooted Max Height 8-15" Placement Background Light Level Low to Medium (approx. 20-50 PAR) Origin South America (hybrid/cultivar) Other Note: this listing arrived with no prior content beyond its title — description written from general knowledge of this cultivar. Care & Planting: Plant into a nutrient-rich substrate; heavy root feeder, supplement with root tabs if using an inert substrate. A note on "melting": Like most Amazon Swords and Cryptocoryne species, this plant is farm-grown emersed (above water). When you first submerge it, don't be alarmed if the original leaves die back over the first few weeks — this is called melting, and it's a normal part of the transition, not a sign the plant is failing. Emersed leaves are built for air and only have stomata on their underside; once submerged, the plant sheds them in favor of new underwater leaves with stomata on both sides, better suited to absorbing CO2 from the water. New submersed growth typically appears within a few weeks.
