Chain Sword Narrow Leaf

Chain Sword Narrow Leaf

Echinodorus tenellus, also known as Chain Sword Narrow Leaf or Pygmy Chain Sword, is one of the smallest Echinodorus species and a classic choice for creating a natural, grass-like carpet in the foreground of a planted aquarium. Its fine, narrow leaves resemble a miniature underwater meadow, adding a clean, polished look to both simple community tanks and advanced aquascapes.

Chain Sword Narrow Leaf Overview

In the aquarium, Chain Sword Narrow Leaf forms low clumps of thin, elongated leaves that gradually spread via runners across the substrate. Over time, these runners knit together into a dense “lawn” that softens the base of rocks, driftwood, and other decorations.

In a planted aquarium, Chain Sword Narrow Leaf is especially appreciated for:

• True carpeting growth: When provided with suitable light and substrate, it spreads by runners to form a continuous, lawn-like carpet in the foreground of the tank.
• Fine, grass-like texture: The slender leaves contrast beautifully with broader-leaf plants like crypts and swords, adding a new texture that makes the aquascape look more layered, detailed, and interesting.
• Benefits for fish and invertebrates: A healthy carpet creates micro-habitats and hiding places for shrimp, fry, and small bottom dwellers, helping them feel secure and encouraging natural behavior.
• Hardscape integration: Chain Sword looks especially attractive when planted around aquascaping stones—such as Seiryu Stone—and driftwood, where it blends hard edges into the substrate and makes the layout look more natural and “grown in.”

Planted in small groups at the front of the tank and allowed to spread, Pygmy Chain Sword quickly becomes the green “foundation” that ties your entire scape together.

Care Guide for Chain Sword Narrow Leaf

Chain Sword Narrow Leaf is relatively easy to grow as a carpeting plant, provided its basic needs are met. It prefers medium to bright lighting, a suitable substrate, and access to nutrients at the root zone. Under good conditions, it will steadily send out runners and gradually cover open areas in the foreground.

For best results, plant individual clumps or runners in sand, fine gravel, or, ideally, a nutrient-rich planted-tank substrate. In a good substrate and with regular fertilization, Chain Sword will grow thicker and spread more quickly. Root tabs and a quality all-in-one fertilizer—such as the plant fertilizers available from Modern Aquarium—will help maintain strong, healthy growth. CO₂ is not strictly required, but in brighter, more advanced setups, a stable CO₂ level can enhance density and speed of carpeting.

The plant should be placed in the foreground and planted in small groups, leaving enough space between clumps for runners to spread and meet. Occasional trimming of overly long or older leaves at the base keeps the carpet low and tidy and encourages fresh, new growth. Ensuring that taller plants and decorations do not completely shade the foreground is important, particularly in low-tech tanks, so that enough light reaches the leaves.

Our Aquascaping Tools is especially useful when establishing and maintaining Chain Sword carpets. Fine tweezers make it easier to plant small runners securely in the substrate without disturbing nearby plants, and curved scissors are ideal for low, precise trimming along the foreground.

• Light: Moderate to Strong
• Temperature Range: 68–84°F
• Placement: Foreground
• CO₂: Not required, but helpful in high-light tanks
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (easier in nutrient-rich substrate)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast under good conditions

Chain Sword Narrow Leaf is also available potted, which can make initial planting easier and help the plant establish more quickly before it starts sending out runners.

Buing Aquarium Plants at Modern Aquarium

At Modern Aquarium, each Chain Sword Narrow Leaf plant is carefully inspected, cleaned, and prepared by hand before shipping so you receive healthy, vigorous specimens that are ready to take root and spread in your tank.

• Top Quality Store & real reviews: Modern Aquarium has been designated by Google as a Top Quality Store on Google and has thousands of individual verified reviews from real customers, so you can shop with confidence.
• Live Arrival Guarantee & fast shipping: All of our live plants are backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee and shipped via FedEx 2-Day delivery to help ensure they arrive fresh, vibrant, and ready to thrive.
• Trusted sourcing: Our plants are sourced from some of the best nurseries in Florida and handled with care from the grower to your aquarium.
• What You See Is What You Get: The photos on our site are typical representations of the plants we sell—no unrealistic stock photos. Because live plants are natural products, individual specimens will vary in size, fullness, and exact leaf length.
• Support when you need it: You can reach us through the chat feature on our website or simply give us a call—we’re happy to help with practical, hobby-focused advice.

To complete the look, surround your Chain Sword carpet with botanicals—such as natural leaf litter and seed pods—for a more authentic, blackwater or streambed feel, and feed your fish a high-quality diet from our fish food selection, including options like Premium Daily Fish Food Blackworm Soft Granules, to keep them vibrant and healthy. With the right lighting, substrate, and care, Chain Sword Narrow Leaf will reward you with a dense, vibrant green lawn that makes your entire aquascape look more polished and natural.