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Can Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata Grow Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated April 22, 2026
Works with Planning

They can grow together, but it is not a plant-and-forget pairing. The shared water range is about 20 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 7.5, and 2 to 15 dGH. Plan the spacing, trimming rhythm, and shade control before planting so one species does not slowly crowd the other.

Mauritius Micro Sword

Lilaeopsis mauritiana

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PlacementForeground
LightModerate
DifficultyIntermediate
Size10 × 15 cm

Undulata

Cryptocoryne undulata

View plant profile
PlacementMidground
LightLow
DifficultyBeginner
Size25 × 20 cm

Quick Decision

Use this first pass to decide whether the pairing deserves a real place in the tank plan before you get into the full care details.

Overall fit

72/100

Viable, but only with more deliberate layout choices.

Water match

Workable overlap

Shared range: 20-28°C, pH 6-7.5, 2-15 dGH.

Layout pressure

Low crowding

Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata mostly use different scape zones.

Main watch-out

Routine care

They share a workable temperature window around 20 to 28 °C.

Side-by-Side Planting Notes

The best coexistence pairings are not just plants with similar water ranges. They also need compatible mature size, feeding style, shade, and maintenance rhythm.

Placement
Mauritius Micro SwordForeground and Carpeting
UndulataMidground and Background

They do not strongly overlap in exact placement.

Mature size
Mauritius Micro Sword10 cm tall, 15 cm wide
Undulata25 cm tall, 20 cm wide
Light and CO2
Mauritius Micro SwordModerate light, Added CO2 helps
UndulataLow light, No added CO2 needed

Light and CO2 expectations are close enough for one routine.

Planting and feeding
Mauritius Micro SwordRooted in substrate, Root feeder
UndulataRooted in substrate, Root feeder
Water and flow
Mauritius Micro SwordFreshwater Only, Moderate (Standard)
UndulataFreshwater Only, Low (Still Water)

Shared water overlap: 20-28°C, pH 6-7.5, 2-15 dGH.

Care rhythm
Mauritius Micro SwordSlow growth, Moderate maintenance
UndulataSlow growth, Low maintenance
Tank value
Mauritius Micro SwordGood refuge for shrimp, Good refuge for fry, Good grazing surface, and Useful spawning site
UndulataBreaks lines of sight, Good refuge for shrimp, and Good grazing surface

Shared benefit: Good refuge for shrimp and Good grazing surface.

Shared Environment

Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata share a workable water window around 20 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 7.5, and 2 to 15 dGH.

Both plants are comfortable in freshwater, so salinity is not a meaningful obstacle.

Flow is workable if the layout gives Mauritius Micro Sword moderate flow and Undulata gentle, low-flow water.

Their light and CO2 needs are close enough for one routine: Mauritius Micro Sword does best with moderate light and optional added CO2, while Undulata does best with low light and no added CO2.

Layout and Spacing

They naturally settle into different parts of the scape, which gives you more room to use each species for what it does best instead of forcing direct competition.

Mauritius Micro Sword reaches about 10 cm tall by 15 cm wide, while Undulata reaches about 25 cm tall by 20 cm wide. Use those mature sizes for the layout, not the small nursery portions you bring home.

Shade is not the main concern here, which makes the layout easier to keep balanced over time.

Both are typically rooted in substrate with nutrient-rich substrate preferred and feed mainly as root feeders. The method is simple, but it also means the same planting zone can feel crowded if they are placed too close together.

Maintenance Outlook

Mature size is not the main thing working against this pairing, so normal maintenance is usually enough to keep the scape readable.

Mauritius Micro Sword brings slow growth, moderate maintenance, and intermediate difficulty. Undulata brings slow growth, low maintenance, and beginner difficulty. If one grows much faster, trim that plant before it starts making the other look like the problem.

The pairing does not introduce any unusual maintenance traps beyond normal trimming and nutrient management.

The strongest reasons to try the mix are that they share a workable temperature window around 20 to 28 °C; and that their flow preferences sit close enough to tune one layout around both plants.

Practical Recommendation

Use this pairing when you are willing to manage the scape, not when you want a plant-and-forget combination. Start with more spacing than you think you need, then adjust once both plants show their real growth pace.

The simple success test is whether both plants still look healthy after the faster grower has been trimmed several times. If one keeps declining after routine care, the layout is probably asking too much of it.

Best Use Case

This pairing is best treated as a layout decision, not just a water-parameter match. Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata can work together, but only when you intentionally manage spacing, shade, and maintenance so the stronger grower does not quietly turn the other into dead weight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata

Can Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata grow in the same aquarium?

They can grow together, but it is not a plant-and-forget pairing. The shared water range is about 20 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 7.5, and 2 to 15 dGH. Plan the spacing, trimming rhythm, and shade control before planting so one species does not slowly crowd the other.

What water conditions suit both Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata?

The shared water window is about 20 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 7.5, and 2 to 15 dGH. Keep the tank in the middle of that overlap instead of chasing the outer edge of either plant's tolerance.

Will Mauritius Micro Sword and Undulata compete for the same space?

Not heavily. They naturally land in different parts of the scape, which lowers direct space competition.

Is light or CO2 the bigger challenge with this pairing?

Neither light nor CO2 is a major divider here compared with most mixed-plant pairings.

What is the main risk when keeping Mauritius Micro Sword with Undulata?

The main risk is letting one plant outgrow the layout before you trim, thin, or move the slower plant into better light.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
April 22, 2026
Last updated
April 22, 2026
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