Anubias

If you have never kept a planted aquarium before, choosing one of the hardy Anubias species is a really good idea. Anubias is a genus of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants that grow in tropical regions of central and western Africa. Wild Anubias are often found in rivers and streams, but they also appreciate boggy environments. Anubias plants have broad, thick, leathery leaves that normally display a dark green color. The shape of the leaves depend on which species you choose for your aquarium. 

If you are a beginner aquarist, you probably have an aquarium with standard aquarium lighting for fish-only aquariums. This means that you should stay away from plants that require a lot of strong light, unless you are willing to invest in fluorescent, or even more potent, aquarium lighting. Anubias is a great choice, since they grow best when the light is subdued. If you place your Anubias in a spot that receives a lot of light, algae can start growing on the leaves.

Anubias should not be planted in the substrate; use a piece of string to attach it to a rock, a piece of driftwood or similar. Gradually, the Anubias plant will anchor itself to the surface and you can remove the string.

Anubias plants are low demanding when it comes to nutrients, and the organic waster produced by the fish is usually enough. They will also do well with the carbon dioxide exhaled by the fish and do not need additional carbon dioxide. Another advantage of Anubias plants is that many plant eating fish species dislike them and refrain from eating them. Anubias plants are for instance commonly found in aquariums that houses herbivore African cichlids.

If you want a fast growing plant, Anubias is not an ideal choice because even when kept in favorable conditions, it will only produce a new leaf every 3 weeks. Trying to boost the growth rate, e.g. by giving the plant extra carbon dioxide, is fruitless.

Anubias are flowering species and will form seeds, but aquarists usually propagate Anubias plants using stolon division. You can also wait for side shoots to develop. In order to make the stolon survive, you have to make sure that the entire stolon is located above the substrate. Stolons growing in the substrate easily succumb to rot.

Anubias berteri

One of the most commonly kept Anubias species Anubias barteri. This species is divided into many different varieties, such as Anubias barteri var. barteri, Anubias barteri var. angustifolia, Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia, Anubias barteri var. glabra, and Anubias barteri var. nana.

Anubias barteri var. nana is the smallest of the Anubias and do not grow taller than 10 cm. The leaves can reach a length of 3 cm and be 2 cm wide. Anubias barteri var. nana has charming heart-shaped leaves and a creeping growth fashion. If you want to keep this Anubias, you should provide it with a water temperature of 22-27 degrees C and a water hardiness of dGH 3 – 10. It is extremely tolerant when it comes to pH and can adapt to a pH-value from 5.5 to 9.0. Do not expect this plant to produce more than one leaf per month, even under ideal conditions.

Didn't find the info you were looking for? Register for free and ask your question in our Aquarium forum !
Our knowledgeable staff usually responds to any question within 24 hours

Related Articles

ACORUS GRAMINEUS - Information about how to care for Acorus gramineus
Algae in Aquariums - An introduction to Algae.
Aponogeton crispus - Information about how to care for A. crispus.
Aquarium Plant Nutrition - Information about plant nutrition and how to fertalize your aquarium plants.
Caring for plants - An introduction on how to best care for your plants.
Ceratopteris thalictroides - Watersprite - Information about how to care for watersprite.
Choosing plants for your aquarium - An article about Choosing plants for your aquarium
Cryptocoryne blassi - Information about how to keep and reproduce this species.
Echinodorus amazonicus - Information about how to care for E. amazonicus.
Echinodorus bleheri - Information about how to care for E. bleheri
Aquarium Ferns - Information about how to care for fern species.
Keeping Aquarium Plants - Information about how to keep aquarium plants successfully.
Plant growth - An article about the different factors that affect plant growth.
Propagating Aponogeton crispus - A short article on propagating Aponogeton crispus
Propagating plants - An introduction to propagating plants.
Riccia fluitans (Crystalwort) - This floating plant can be anchored to wood or rock to form a beautiful "lawn” and hide fry.
Rotalla macrandra - It can be a real showpiece with a little effort and care, if you can find it
Setting Up a Planted Aquarium - Information about how to prepare and setup a planted aquarium.
How to grow & care for aquarium plants - Information about how to care for plants in aquariums.
Stargrass, Heteranthera zosterifolia - A detailed article about the care of this plant.
Suitable aquarium plants for beginners - A guide to help beginners choose the best plants for their aquarium.
Vesicularia dubayana - Java Moss - keeping Vesicularia dubayana – Java moss