Anubias barteri

Quick facts

Max height

25 cm

Growth rate

slow

Difficulty

beginner

Placement

foreground, midground

Propagation

rhizome division

Water parameters

Temperature

22–30°C

pH

6.0 to 8.0

Hardness

2 to 25 dGH

Brackish

tolerated

Light and nutrients

Lighting

low

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

epiphyte

Feeding

feeds from the water column (use liquid fertilizer)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

fine - root system or attachment style handles it

Root-disturbing fish

tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

Native to tropical West Africa, growing along stream banks and on rocks in and near freshwater in countries from Cameroon through Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea. The species (Anubias barteri) and its many varieties grow as rheophytes: plants adapted to fast-flowing water, anchoring to rocks and wood with strong rhizomatous roots. Several commercial varieties exist: var. barteri (the standard large form), var. nana (the small form, sometimes sold as a separate species), var. coffeifolia (with textured, coffee-leaf-shaped leaves), and var. glabra. The leaves are thick, dark green, and waxy, with a leathery texture that makes them unpalatable to most herbivorous fish. This is the primary reason Anubias is recommended for tanks with plant-eating species like goldfish, cichlids, and silver dollars.

Care notes

One of the easiest aquarium plants available. Tolerates low light, no CO2, hard water, soft water, and temperatures from 20–30°C. Grows slowly regardless of conditions, producing one new leaf every 1-3 weeks per growth point. The single most important care rule: never bury the rhizome in substrate. The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem from which leaves grow upward and roots grow downward. If buried, it rots and the plant dies. Attach the plant to driftwood or rocks using super glue (cyanoacrylate gel), thread, or fishing line. The roots will grip the hardscape naturally over a few weeks. Anubias does well in shade; placing it under taller plants or in lower-light areas of the tank is appropriate. Under high light without CO2, the slow-growing leaves attract algae, especially black beard algae (BBA) and green spot algae (GSA). The combination of slow growth and bright light is the worst scenario for any Anubias because algae grows faster than the plant can produce new leaf surface. In high-light setups, add CO2 and balanced nutrient dosing to keep the growth rate of the plant closer to the algae growth rate. Cleanup crew (nerite snails, Amano shrimp) helps manage algae on leaves. Propagation is by dividing the rhizome: cut a section with at least 3-4 leaves and attach it elsewhere. Both pieces continue growing from their respective cut ends.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean